New Delhi, August 12 (Udaipur Kiran): After reviewing delays in India’s advanced fighter aircraft program, the first flights of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mark-2 and Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) have been announced. The LCA Tejas Mark-2 is expected to begin flights by March 2026, with full-scale production anticipated by 2029. Similarly, the fifth-generation AMCA is scheduled for mass production by 2035.
A high-level meeting between DRDO and the Indian Air Force was recently held to address delays in these critical aviation projects. The meeting, led by DRDO Chief Dr. Samir V. Kamat and Deputy Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, focused on the timelines for the 4.5 generation Tejas Mark-2 and the fifth-generation AMCA. It was noted that funding issues related to engine agreements have caused development delays. The timeline was set, with India aiming to start production of the LCA Mark-2 jets by 2029 and the AMCA by 2035.
The high-level review meeting at DRDO Bhavan focused on the development schedule for the LCA Mark-2. The Aeronautical Development Agency presented a progress report to Dr. Kamat and Air Marshal Dixit. Directors from various DRDO laboratories and clusters also attended to discuss prototype flight testing, initial flights, and system integration. It was mentioned that the LCA Mark-2 prototype was expected by 2025 but has been delayed by about a year due to funding issues related to the engine deal.
It has been decided that the LCA aircraft will be powered by American GE engines. The LCA Mark-1 and Mark-1A will use the GE-404 engine, while the LCA Mark-2 will be equipped with the more advanced GE-414, which will be manufactured in India with indigenous components. DRDO officials stated that the 4.5 generation Tejas MK-2 is currently in development and will have its first flight in March 2026, with the prototype ready by 2025. The Tejas Mark-2 will feature the primary sensor Uttam radar, along with indigenous weapons like the Astra air-to-air missile and Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.