HAL TEDBF

Last updated

Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter
Indian Navy's HAL TEDBF.jpg
HAL TEDBF design for Aero India 2025
General information
Type Carrier-based multirole combat aircraft
National origin India
Manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
Designer Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA)
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
StatusUnder development
Primary user Indian Navy (intended)
History
Introduction date2035 (expected)
First flight2028 (expected)
Developed from HAL Tejas
VariantsHAL ORCA (proposed Air Force variant)

The HAL Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF) is a canard delta wing, twin-engine, carrier-based, multirole combat aircraft currently under development for the Indian Navy. The TEDBF is being designed and developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), and will be manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). [1]

Contents

As a maritime multirole fighter, the aircraft would be capable of missions like combat air patrol (CAP), air supremacy, interception, ground attack, anti-surface warfare (ASuW), reconnaissance, electronic warfare (EW) and buddy-buddy refuelling. The TEDBF is expected to replace the Mikoyan MiG-29K of the Indian Naval Air Arm to operate from the Navy's STOBAR aircraft carriers. For ease of storage and operations from such platforms, the aircraft design will incorporate features including folding wings and arresting hook. [1] [2] [3]

The programme was officially initiated in 2019-20, after the Indian Navy's dissatisfaction in operating a single-engine carrier-based fighter based on the HAL Tejas, and its eventual withdrawal from the naval LCA programme in 2016. [4]

As of 2025, the preliminary design phase is to end soon and would be followed by first flight in 2028 and induction by 2035. [5]

Development

Background

LCA Navy Prototype NP-1 LCA Navy Prototype NP-1.jpg
LCA Navy Prototype NP-1

The naval LCA programme to develop a carrier-based fighter for the Indian Navy was launched in 2003. [6] The ADA was entrusted with the task of designing and developing a new naval fighter based on the existing Tejas template. The programme was envisaged to be completed in two phases - in the first phase, two prototypes were to be built, based on the Tejas Mk. 1 design. In the second phase, two more prototypes were to be built based on the Tejas Mk. 2 design. [6] The programme was jointly funded by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Navy, with the latter funding 40% and 60% of the developmental cost of naval LCA Mk. 1 and Mk. 2, respectively. [7] In 2009, the Cabinet Committee on Security approved the development of Mk. 2 variant of the naval LCA. [8] The first naval prototype, a two-seater NP-1, was rolled out in 2010, and first flew on 27 April 2012. [9] By 2015, another naval LCA prototype, a single seater NP-2, had joined the programme, and carried out first ski jump assisted take off from a shore-based test facility (SBTF) in Goa. [10] [11]

MRCBF

F/A-18E/F take-off from STBF facility during MRCBF trials Super Hornet taking off from a ski jump ramp.jpg
F/A-18E/F take-off from STBF facility during MRCBF trials

In December 2016, the Indian Navy opted out of the LCA programme completely, with the cited reason being that the naval variant was 'overweight', and issued a fresh RFI for the immediate procurement of 57 Multi-Role Carrier Borne Fighters (MRCBF). [12] [13] [14]

The competition was between Rafale and the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. Both the jets participated in the trials from the ski-jumps at the Shore-Based Test Facility (SBTF) at INS Hansa in January and June 2022 respectively. [15] [16] [17]

By August 2022, the TEDBF development was underway and MRCBF was reported to be an "interim measure" until the TEDBF was ready for induction. The tender winner would form the Carrier Air Group of INS Vikrant. [18] Further, MRCBF orders were reduced from from 57 aircraft to 26, including trainer variants. [19] By December 2022, the Indian Navy headquarters submitted a report to the ministry of defence where, reportedly, Rafale became the frontrunner. [20]

In 2023, the Ministry of Defence approved the procurement of the Rafale-M for the Navy. [21] [22] As of February 2025, the deal for 26 Rafale-M for the Navy is expected to be finalised in March or April 2025. [23] [24]

LCA Navy landing onboard INS Vikramaditya Tejas Navy.jpg
LCA Navy landing onboard INS Vikramaditya

The stalled LCA-N programme was revived once again in 2018, under the oversight of the then Minister of Defence, Nirmala Sitharaman. [25] Simultaneously with MRCBF acquisition, the flight tests were resumed with NP-1 and NP-2 for attaining technological maturity of the carrier based fighter. [26] By early 2020, the naval LCA had successfully carried out night-time arrested landing at the Goa SBTF, and carrier landing and take off on the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya. [27] [28] [29]

Design and development

The existence of a twin-engine fighter concept on offer for the Indian Navy by the DRDO for development was first announced by the then Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh in early December 2019 during an annual press conference on the eve of Navy Day. As of then, the Qualitative Requirements (QR) were being prepared and the aircraft would be ready by 2026. He also said Naval LCA would function as a technology demonstrator and its carrier compatibility test results would be used for the development of the new aircraft. [4] [30] As of then, N-LCA completed 50 autonomous ski-jump take offs and 28 arrested landing s from the Shore Based Test Facility (SBTF) at INS Hansa. [31] TEDBF was slated for induction by 2032. [3]

The development of Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF) was first reported by DRDO in April 2020. As per reported TEDBF would borrow many of the technologies from MWF programme like Next Generation Wide Area Display (WAD) and side-stick controls, high powered Digital Flight Control Computer (DFCC) and the sensor suite. [30]

Model of TEDBF as displayed at Aero India 2021 HALTEDBFAeroindia2021.png
Model of TEDBF as displayed at Aero India 2021

A scaled down model of TEDBF was displayed for the first time in Aero India 2021. The TEDBF is being designed as per the requirements laid down by the Navy for the MRCBF acquisition programme. [1] [32]

According to Project Director TV Vinod Kumar, Project Director of LCA (Navy), the preliminary design phase of TEDBF is underway as of October 2022. It was estimated that after being cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), development of four prototypes will cost ₹ 14,000 crore (equivalent to ₹150 billionorUS$1.7 billion in 2023). The aircraft will enter service in another eight years from CCS approval. Another variant of TEDBF for CATOBAR operations could also be developed in future if and when INS Vishal enters service. [33]

Other ADA officials including P Thangavel, Project Director of LCA Mk1, reported in November that ADA will submit Preliminary Design Review by March 2023. Further, following CCS clearance expected in mid-2023, followed by roll out of first prototype in 1.5 to 2 years, first flight by 2026, flight trials completion by 2030-31 and induction by 2031-32. The prototype will take 1,000 flights during test phase. DRDO, as of then, was conducting high speed modelling in wind tunnels to test the supersonic characteristics using internal funds. [34] [35]

As of December 2024, the programme has received clearances from all relevant ministries and is being studied by National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS). The Navy had initially proposed for 145 TEDBFs based on the requirements of a three carrier force. However, defence planners have asked the Navy to reduce the count to 87 as per the requirements based on a two carrier force as of now. Meanwhile, the Navy and ADA plans to complete the first flight by 2028 while working on three prototypes through the development funds being sought from the Tejas Navy programme. The Navy has proposed 14 upgrades over existing features of Tejas Navy including automatic landing and take-off. Four of these upgrades has already been tested on Tejas. By the time initial quantity of purchase and design is being finalised, Navy-ADA have teamed up to prove these required technologies in order to reduce the developmental cycle time for the TEDBF. [36]

A model of the aircraft with a revised design was displayed at Aero India 2025. It was reported that the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) of the project was to be completed by June 2025. According to Amitabh Saraf, Project Director of TEDBF, the PDR phase would be followed by Critical Design and Wind Tunnel Testing phase. It was also reported that the aircraft would be capable of refuelling four to five other aircraft mid-flight. As of now, the first flight is expected in 2028 followed by deployment in 2035. [5]

ORCA program

ORCA conceptual render Orca fighter jet.jpg
ORCA conceptual render

A proposed air force variant of the TEDBF design, called the Omni-Role Combat Aircraft (ORCA) weighing around 23 tonnes is also under study. [37] The Indian Air Force is expected to need more than 750 aircraft between 2030 and 2050. ORCA, if funded, would be developed in parallel to the HAL AMCA. [38]

Specifications

Data from Jane's, [32] [35] DRDO, [39] The Week, [40] India Today [5]

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

Avionics

See also

Related development

Related lists

References

  1. 1 2 3 Sutton, H. I. (17 March 2021). "India's New Aircraft Carrier, Vikrant, May Get 5th-Generation Fighter". Naval News. Archived from the original on 4 August 2021. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
  2. ↑ "MiG-29K Aircraft Replacement, Indian TEDBF Breaks Cover at Aero India 2021". www.defenseworld.net. Archived from the original on 2 February 2021. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  3. 1 2 "DRDO's Light Tank Will Be Power Pack As "The Highest Altitude Operable Tank In The Globe": G. Satheesh Reddy, Chairman DRDO". BW Businessworld. 9 March 2021. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
  4. 1 2 Peri, Dinakar (3 December 2019). "Will take DRDO's new deck-based fighter aircraft when it's ready: Navy Chief". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 21 February 2025.
  5. 1 2 3 "Amid China concerns, India ramps up its 5th gen fighter jet programs". India Today. 18 February 2025. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
  6. 1 2 "ADA LCA Navy Programme". Archived from the original on 10 May 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  7. ↑ "India's first indigenous aircraft carrier to join Navy by 2022: Sunil Lanba". Business Standard India. 1 December 2017. Archived from the original on 9 June 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  8. ↑ Krishnan M., Anantha. "Indian Navy fastens its seatbelt for Light Combat Aircraft Tejas." Daily News and Analysis, 23 June 2010. Retrieved 8 February 2021. Archived 26 September 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  9. ↑ Kumar, Chethan. "LCA naval variant's first flight on Friday." Deccan Herald, 25 April 2012. Retrieved 30 May 2012. Archived 2 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine
  10. ↑ "Maiden flight by 2nd prototype of LCA Tejas' naval variant". The Economic Times. 7 February 2015. Archived from the original on 9 June 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  11. ↑ Peri, Dinakar (23 December 2014). "Naval LCA makes first flight from ski-jump". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X. Archived from the original on 9 June 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  12. ↑ "India seeks new naval fighter to replace rejected Tejas LCA". IHS Jane's 360. 26 January 2017. Archived from the original on 24 February 2017. Retrieved 23 February 2017.
  13. ↑ "Navy rejects Tejas, says 'overweight' fighter does not meet its requirements". indiatimes.com. 2 December 2016. Archived from the original on 6 December 2016. Retrieved 27 January 2017.
  14. ↑ "Indian Navy rejects naval version of Tejas LCA, seeks alternative – IHS Jane's 360". janes.com. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 27 January 2017.
  15. ↑ Tomkins, Richard (16 February 2017). "Dassault to offer Rafale fighter to Indian navy". United Press International. Archived from the original on 17 February 2017. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  16. ↑ P, Rajat (6 January 2022). "Demonstration of Rafale fighter for Navy begins at Goa, F/A-18 next in March". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 6 January 2022. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
  17. ↑ Gupta, Shishir (1 January 2022). "Navy to test Rafale-M jet for INS Vikrant". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 6 January 2022. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
  18. ↑ Philip, Snehesh Alex (25 August 2022). "Rafale or Super Hornets are 'interim arrangement' only, says Navy on mega fighter deal". ThePrint. Archived from the original on 22 October 2022. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
  19. ↑ Peri, Dinakar (11 November 2022). "Twin engine carrier-based fighter for Navy could be inducted by 2031-32". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X. Archived from the original on 14 November 2022. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
  20. ↑ Philip, Snehesh Alex (7 December 2022). "France's Rafale jets are frontrunner in race for Indian Navy contract". ThePrint. Retrieved 6 February 2025.
  21. ↑ PTI (30 January 2025). "India to seal Rafale-M, Scorpene deals with France soon". The Economic Times. ISSN   0013-0389 . Retrieved 12 February 2025.
  22. ↑ "DAC approves proposals for procurement of 26 Rafale Marine aircraft from France to boost Indian Navy's operational capabilities". Press Information Bureau. 13 July 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  23. ↑ "Rafale-M, Scorpene deals likely to be fast-tracked during PM Modi's France visit". India Today. 3 February 2025. Retrieved 6 February 2025.
  24. ↑ Peri, Dinakar (13 February 2025). "Rafale-M deal to be inked in couple of months, delivery to start after four years". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 16 February 2025.
  25. ↑ Som, Vishnu (2 August 2018). "Back From Dead: Navy's Tejas Fighter Preps For Tests on Aircraft Carrier". NDTV. Archived from the original on 6 March 2019. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
  26. ↑ "Naval version of Tejas undergoes successful tests". The Economic Times. 2 August 2018. Archived from the original on 6 March 2019. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
  27. ↑ "LCA Navy makes successful night time arrested landing in Goa". ANI News. 13 November 2019. Archived from the original on 7 May 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  28. ↑ Peri, Dinakar (11 January 2020). "Naval variant of LCA Tejas successfully lands on carrier". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X. Archived from the original on 24 June 2020. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  29. ↑ "With ski jump, naval light combat aircraft takes off from INS Vikramaditya for 1st time". Hindustan Times. 12 January 2020. Archived from the original on 12 January 2020. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  30. 1 2 defenceupdate (26 April 2020). "TEDBF v/s. N-AMCA:- FUTURE OF INDIAN NAVY". Indian Defence News. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
  31. ↑ "Light Combat Aircraft for Indian Navy: DRDO updates naval aircraft's progress". Financialexpress. 2 December 2019. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
  32. 1 2 Jennings, Gareth (4 February 2021). "Aero India 2021: Indian TEDBF naval fighter showcased by HAL". Janes.com. Archived from the original on 6 August 2021. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  33. ↑ Dutta, Amrita Nayak (21 October 2022). "'Development of Indigenous Deck Based Fighters to Replace Navy's MiG-29 Fleet on Track': ADA Official". News18. Archived from the original on 22 October 2022. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
  34. ↑ Peri, Dinakar (11 November 2022). "Twin engine carrier-based fighter for Navy could be inducted by 2031-32". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X. Archived from the original on 14 November 2022. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
  35. 1 2 Kadidal, Akhil (3 November 2022). "Design of India's naval fighter approaching preliminary completion". Janes. Archived from the original on 14 November 2022. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
  36. ↑ Philip, Snehesh Alex (5 December 2024). "As India & France get ready to sign 7-bn Euro deal for Rafale Marine, 87 TEDBFs emerge in shadow". ThePrint. Archived from the original on 5 December 2024. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
  37. ↑ Sinha, Amartya (16 May 2023). "Indigenous combat jets and Kaveri turbofan engine: All About IAF's new aerospace plan". India Today. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  38. ↑ Som, Vishnu (5 January 2020). "NDTV Exclusive: First Look At Futuristic Variant Of India's Tejas Fighter". NDTV. New Delhi. Archived from the original on 11 January 2020. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  39. ↑ "TEDBF v/s. N-AMCA: Future of Indian Navy" (PDF). drdo.gov.in. 29 April 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 July 2024. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
  40. ↑ "Atma Nirbhar defence: Indigenous projects to look out for at Aero India 2021". The Week. Archived from the original on 2 March 2021. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
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