HAL TEDBF

The naval LCA programme to develop a carrier-based fighter for the Indian Navy was launched in 2003.[10] 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.[10] 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.[11] In 2009, the Cabinet Committee on Security approved the development of Mk. 2 variant of the naval LCA.[12] The first naval prototype, a two-seater NP-1, was rolled out in 2010, and first flew on 27 April 2012.[13] 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.[14][15] In December 2016, the Indian Navy opted out of the programme completely, with the cited reason being that the nav variant was 'overweight', and issued a fresh RFI for the immediate procurement of 57 Multi-Role Carrier Borne Fighters (MRCBF).[16][17][18] The stalled programme was revived once again in 2018, under the oversight of the then defence minister, Ms. Nirmala Sitharaman.[19] The flight tests were resumed with NP-1 and NP-2 for attaining technological maturity of the carrier based fighter.[20] 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.[21][22][23]

In April 2020, the ADA announced work on a new naval fighter based on the Indian Navy's MRCBF 2016 requirement to replace the existing fleet of Mikoyan MiG-29K carrier-based fighters.[24][25] The new naval fighter unveiled at the Aero India airshow 2021 turned out to be of a twin engine, medium weight class fighter, now called Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF).[26] The experience gained in the Naval LCA (N-LCA) programme is expected to help in the development of the TEDBF.[27]

Government of India approved the TEDBF project in mid-2020. The aircraft will have canards to increase the lifting surface area, and will employ two General Electric F414 engines. The first flight is expected in 2026.[28] According to Project Director TV Vinod Kumar, the estimated cost of four prototypes will be ₹14,000 crore. ADA is looking for joint development with Indian private sector. Indian Navy is planning the induction from 2032 when Mikoyan MiG-29K will start retiring. Upon the entry into service of the proposed INS Vishal, TEDBF will be modified for Catapult Assisted Take-Off Barrier Arrested Recovery (CATOBAR) operations.[29] As an interim measure, Navy will procure Rafale M or Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet until TEDBF is ready.[30] Due to the TEDBF project, the Indian Navy reduced their orders for foreign fighters from 57 aircraft to 26, including trainer variants.[31]

A proposed air force variant of the TEDBF design, called the Omni-Role Combat Aircraft (ORCA) is also under study. 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.[32] ADA will submit Preliminary Design Review on Q2 2023. The prototype will take 1,000 flights during test phase.[33] TEDBF is undergoing wind-tunnel testing. DRDO is conducting high speed modelling to test the supersonic characteristics using internal funds.[31]