Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Ex-Air Force Vice Chief Questions Tejas Mk-2 Frontline Future
Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor criticized the schedule for India’s Tejas Mk-2 fighter jet.
He said it may be too old-fashioned for frontline combat when many aircraft arrive in the mid-2030s.
His concern is that China is developing more advanced fifth- and sixth-generation aircraft.
However, he said Tejas Mk-2 jets could still protect areas that cannot be covered by a smaller number of very advanced fighters.
Kapoor also criticized delays affecting the Tejas Mk-1A.
The articles say engine shortages and work on radar, electronics, and weapons integration have slowed deliveries.
No Tejas Mk-1A aircraft had been delivered to the Indian Air Force at the time of reporting.
Kapoor supported building fighters in India but said the country should also consider joining international projects such as FCAS or GCAP.
These programmes are intended to develop more advanced future combat aircraft.
Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor said Tejas Mk-2 may not remain relevant for frontline operations when significant numbers enter service in the mid-2030s.
Kapoor said fourth-generation fighters could still fill coverage gaps because limited fifth- and sixth-generation aircraft could not be deployed everywhere.
He criticized Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for delays and said its urgency did not match the Indian Air Force’s requirements.
No Tejas Mk-1A aircraft had been delivered to the Indian Air Force, with engine shortages and integration work cited as contributing factors.
Kapoor supported indigenous fighter production but suggested India consider joining the FCAS or GCAP next-generation programmes.
- Who
- Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor, the recently retired Vice Chief of the Indian Air Force, and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s Tejas programme.
- What
- Kapoor questioned whether the Tejas Mk-2 will be sufficiently capable for frontline operations when it enters service in significant numbers and criticized delays in the wider Tejas programme.
- When
- Kapoor made the remarks less than two months after retiring; significant Tejas Mk-2 service entry is projected for the mid-2030s, while its first flight is expected between March and July 2027.
- Where
- India’s indigenous fighter-development and military aviation programmes.
- Why
- Kapoor said India could be inducting a fourth-generation fighter as China advances fifth- and sixth-generation aircraft, while also arguing that less advanced fighters may still be needed for broad geographic coverage.
Frontline Modernization Concerns
Coverage Needs and Indigenous Development
Tejas Mk-2’s frontline role
Frontline Modernization Concerns
Kapoor said a fourth-generation Tejas Mk-2 would not be operationally relevant for frontline duties when significant numbers enter service in the mid-2030s, given China’s progress toward fifth- and sixth-generation aircraft.
Coverage Needs and Indigenous Development
Kapoor said aircraft in the Tejas Mk-2 class could still fill capability gaps because limited numbers of fifth- and sixth-generation fighters could not be deployed everywhere.
Domestic development versus international cooperation
Frontline Modernization Concerns
Kapoor questioned the value of proceeding through fourth- and fourth-and-a-half-generation steps when more advanced international programmes are already being developed.
Coverage Needs and Indigenous Development
He strongly supported indigenous fighter production while suggesting that India also join FCAS or GCAP to gain access to more advanced development efforts.
Tejas programme performance
Frontline Modernization Concerns
Kapoor said Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s sense of urgency was far below what the Indian Air Force requires and criticized repeated delays.
Coverage Needs and Indigenous Development
The articles attribute Tejas Mk-1A delays to General Electric F404-IN20 engine shortfalls and continuing work to integrate radar, avionics, and weapons systems.
- Tejas Mk-1A order
- India ordered 83 Tejas Mk-1A fighters in 2021 in a deal worth roughly Rs 46,000 crore.
- Additional Mk-1A order
- A further order for 97 Tejas Mk-1A aircraft was announced on 25 September 2025 for Rs 62,370 crore.
- Mk-1A deliveries
- The articles state that no Tejas Mk-1A aircraft had been delivered to the Indian Air Force at the time of reporting.
- Reported delay factors
- The articles cite delays in General Electric F404-IN20 engine deliveries and continuing radar, avionics, and weapons-integration work.
- Mk-2 schedule
- Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s latest cited update placed the Tejas Mk-2’s first flight between March and July 2027.
- Chinese aircraft estimate
- Some estimates cited in the articles say China could be moving toward deploying 500 fifth-generation J-20 fighters by 2030.
- Alternative programmes
- FCAS is a France-Germany-Spain project, while GCAP is a United Kingdom-Italy-Japan project aimed at developing next-generation fighter capabilities.
