The Indian Navy’s ambitious Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF) program is nearing its final government approval, as confirmed by Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi. This milestone represents a significant advancement towards India’s first indigenously developed carrier-borne 4.5++ generation fighter aircraft.
The TEDBF is designed to serve as a multi-role, twin-engine naval fighter optimized for aircraft carrier operations. Substantial progress has been made in various areas, including preliminary design studies, subsystem evaluations, and technology validation phases. Admiral Tripathi highlighted that major engineering challenges have been effectively addressed. These include the reinforcement of the airframe for carrier use, the integration of advanced arrestor hooks, the capability for wing folding, and specialized avionics, all of which place the project at an advanced stage of development.
Once the program receives final clearance, it will transition into the prototyping phase. This transition will allow the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), and various industry partners to initiate the fabrication of the first airframes. Following production, these prototypes are set to undergo rigorous shore-based test flights prior to their eventual sea trials on India’s aircraft carriers.
The TEDBF is expected to eventually replace the Navy’s fleet of MiG-29K aircraft. With enhanced range, payload capacity, stealth features, and next-generation avionics, the TEDBF is poised to become a crucial asset for India’s naval air operations. Designed for air superiority, precision strike missions, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare capabilities, this fighter jet is intended to form the backbone of future carrier air wings.
Additionally, the Chief emphasized the strategic importance of this project. The development of an indigenous carrier-based fighter jet furthers India’s self-reliance goals under the Make in India initiative while also strengthening maritime power projection in the Indo-Pacific region.
As India expands its carrier fleet, which currently includes INS Vikramaditya, INS Vikrant, and upcoming indigenous vessels, the TEDBF is expected to be a pivotal element in enhancing the Navy’s long-term air combat capabilities.
Following government approval, the timeline for prototyping and testing is projected to extend over several years, leading to final certification and induction. The successful operational deployment of the TEDBF would mark a significant milestone for India’s naval aviation sector and its broader defence industrial ecosystem.
