The TEJAS MK-2 represents a larger and more capable evolution of India’s indigenous Light Combat Aircraft program.

It features a longer fuselage, larger wings and greater fuel capacity compared to the MK-1. This design shift is intended to provide greater endurance, payload and operational flexibility for the Indian Air Force.

The MK-2’s timeline is set against a troubled record of earlier TEJAS variants. The program was originally conceived in the 1980s and took more than four decades to reach induction. This long gestation period has raised concerns about whether the MK-2 can meet operational requirements in time.

Just weeks after retiring, former Indian Air Force Vice Chief Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor delivered a scathing assessment of the TEJAS MK-2 program. He questioned whether the fighter would remain operationally relevant by the time it enters frontline service in significant numbers in the 2030s. His remarks have added weight to the debate over India’s combat preparedness.

The Indian Air Force continues to grapple with ageing fleets and a squadron strength below its mandated requirement. This shortfall is particularly worrying as China advances towards sixth-generation fighter prototypes, which promise capabilities far beyond fourth-generation aircraft.

Asked by NDTV whether it would be reasonable to induct a fourth-generation aircraft in 2035, Kapoor gave a blunt response: “No, operationally, definitely no.” His statement underscores the widening technological gap between India and its regional adversaries.

His comments also come amid delays in TEJAS production and development. Concerns remain over the availability of the TEJAS MK-1A, which has yet to be delivered in promised numbers.

Kapoor criticised Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s sense of urgency, saying it did not match that of the Air Force. He argued that HAL’s pace of work is insufficient given the pressing needs of national defence.

Additional context highlights that HAL has repeatedly missed deadlines for both the MK-1A and MK-2. The MK-1A order placed in 2021 for 83 aircraft has yet to see deliveries, while a secondary order for 97 more was announced in 2025.

The MK-2 prototype rollout, originally promised in 2022, has slipped year after year, with the first flight now expected only in 2027. These delays have compounded the Air Force’s operational challenges.

China, meanwhile, is expected to field hundreds of fifth-generation J-20 fighters by 2030 and is already testing sixth-generation prototypes with advanced autonomy, drone wingmen and networked combat systems. This rapid progress raises questions about India’s ability to keep pace with future air combat requirements.

Kapoor’s criticism reflects a broader concern that India’s reliance on delayed indigenous projects could leave the Air Force vulnerable. While he strongly supports indigenous development, he has argued that India must also consider joining international sixth-generation fighter programs such as the Future Combat Air System and the Global Combat Air Program to avoid falling behind.

Agencies