HAL TEDBF

Twin Engine Deck Based double engine fighter jet
A model of HAL TEDBF displayed at Aero India 2022
Role Carrier-based multirole combat aircraft
National origin India
Manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
Design group Aeronautical Development Agency
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
Defence Research and Development Organisation
Status Under development
Developed from HAL Tejas

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] The TEDBF is intended to perform a multitude of missions, including air supremacy, air interdiction, anti-access/area denial (A2/AD), anti-ship warfare (ASW) and electronic warfare (EW) missions.[1] The TEDBF is expected to replace the Mikoyan MiG-29K onboard the INS Vikramaditya and the INS Vikrant.[2][1]

The programme was officially announced in 2020, in response to 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. A model of the aircraft was displayed at Aero India 2021.[3] The first flight is expected to be in 2026,[4][5][6] with production planned for 2031.[7]

The design's twin engines are expected to allow shorter take-offs from the Indian Navy’s Short Take-Off Barrier Arrested Recovery (STOBAR) aircraft carriers.[2] As a dedicated deck-based fighter, it will feature foldable wings for more compact storage. The TEDBF will predominantly be equipped with indigenous weapons systems.[3][8][9]

  1. ^ a b c 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. ^ a b "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. ^ a b 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.
  4. ^ Kumar, Chethan (2 February 2021). "Aero India to kick off on Wednesday". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 2 February 2021. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  5. ^ Jha, Manish Kumar. "DRDO's Light Tank Will Be Power Pack As "The Highest Altitude Operable Tank In The Globe": G. Satheesh Reddy, Chairman DRDO". BW Businessworld. Retrieved 11 March 2021.[permanent dead link]
  6. ^ "Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF) Aircraft to take first flight in 2026". INFOTONLINE. Archived from the original on 17 July 2023. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  7. ^ "Interview with Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff, Indian Navy" (PDF). VayuAerospace.IN. 1 January 2022. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 May 2022. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
  8. ^ "India offers LCA Tejas trainer variant to US Navy: Report". The Week. Archived from the original on 22 September 2021. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  9. ^ Unnithan, Sandeep (17 January 2021). "Tejas gets wings". India Today. Archived from the original on 16 February 2021. Retrieved 4 February 2021.