Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor, who retired as Vice Chief of the Indian Air Force less than two months ago, has delivered some of the sharpest public criticism yet of the indigenous TEJAS fighter project, NDTV reported.

He stated that the TEJAS MK-2 may not be operationally relevant in a frontline role when it begins entering service in significant numbers in the mid-2030s. Asked whether it makes sense for India to induct a fourth-generation aircraft in 2035 when China is moving towards sixth-generation platforms and Pakistan is considering fifth-generation jets, he was categorical: “No, operationally, definitely No.”

Fifth-generation fighters such as the US F-22 and China’s J-20 combine stealth with sensor fusion and internal weapons carriage. Sixth-generation fighters like China’s J-36 and J-50 build upon this by adding AI-driven autonomy, drone wingmen, and a “System of Systems” approach where the jet functions as a networked node rather than a stand alone platform. India currently has neither fifth nor sixth-generation aircraft. Estimates suggest China could deploy 500 J-20 fighters by 2030.

Despite his criticism, the Air Marshal acknowledged that fourth-generation fighters like the TEJAS MK-2 could still play a role in non-cutting-edge missions. He explained that while fifth and sixth-generation fighters are essential, India’s vast geography means they cannot be deployed everywhere, and gaps will need to be filled by aircraft of the TEJAS MK-2 class.

He was particularly scathing about Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, which manufactures the TEJAS. Kapoor highlighted the lack of availability of the TEJAS MK-1A variant as a huge concern.

He questioned why a machine promised years ago with specific capabilities continues to be denied to the Air Force on one pretext or another. He asked why the service must be hamstrung because promises have not been kept.

While strongly supporting the need for indigenous fighters, Kapoor expressed frustration at the delays. He said, “Indigenous is the way to go without a doubt but how long do we keep waiting?” The TEJAS prototype first flew in 2001, and the Air Force ordered 40 MK-1 jets.

In 2021, it ordered 83 TEJAS MK-1A fighters in a ₹46,000-crore deal. Yet not a single TEJAS MK-1A has been delivered, with delays in engine deliveries of the US-built GE F404-IN20 and integration problems with radar, avionics, and weapons systems.

A secondary order for 97 more TEJAS MK-1A jets was announced in September 2025, worth ₹62,370 crore. HAL has also been developing the TEJAS MK-2, originally promising a prototype rollout in 2022.

That timeline has slipped repeatedly through 2023, 2024, 2025, and into 2026. At the Farnborough Air Show in July 2026, HAL stated the MK-2’s first flight is now expected between March and July 2027. Kapoor criticised HAL’s lack of urgency, saying it does not match the urgency of the Air Force.

The concerns extend beyond the TEJAS. India’s first home-grown stealth fighter, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft, could take a decade in development and trials, and may miss initial technology benchmarks in its early variants.

Kapoor suggested India should partner with European consortia working on sixth-generation platforms such as the Future Combat Air System and the Global Combat Air Program. He argued that joining such projects would be more logical than persisting with fourth-generation steps when the next best technology is already being developed.

FCAS is a joint project between France, Germany, and Spain to develop a next-generation fighter with supporting drones and a combat cloud network, targeted for around 2040.

GCAP is a joint effort between the United Kingdom, Italy, and Japan, aiming for a next-generation fighter around 2035. Kapoor said India should consider joining one of these programs, given their strong records of delivery and development.

HAL was excluded from India’s AMCA stealth program in February 2026 after failing to qualify in an Expression of Interest opened to private industry in mid-2025. HAL’s order backlog was nearly eight times its turnover, far exceeding the allowed limit.

Three private-led groups passed the screening and received formal Requests for Proposal: Tata Advanced Systems Limited, an L&T-BEL consortium, and a Bharat Forge-BEML consortium.

Agencies