Twin engine carrier-based fighters could be inducted by 2031-32

The project for the trial of the Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF), is expected to get approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) by mid-2023.

Twin-Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF):

• It will be the first twin-engine aircraft project in India that too for dedicated carrier-based operations.
• This fighter is getting developed for the Navy.
• It is viewed as the naval variant of the indigenous Tejas Jet.
• It will replace the existing fleet of Mikoyan MiG-29K carrier-based fighters
• The TEDBF is being designed and developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA).
• It will be manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
• The TEDBF is being designed based on lessons learned from the Naval LCA programme.
• Indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant is gearing up for aviation trials.

Weapons:

• The aircraft will be equipped predominantly with domestic weapons.

Size and Capacity:

• It will have a maximum Mach number of 1.6, a service ceiling of 60,000 feet, a maximum takeoff weight of 26 tons, unfolded wing span of 11.2 meters, folded wing span of 7.2, and a length of 16.3 meters.

Induction:

• It will be inducted with the Navy by 2031-32.

Indigenization efforts of the Indian Navy:

• Indian navy indigenization plan 2015-2030: In 2014 Navy promulgated the Indian Navy indigenization Plan (INIP) 2015-2030 to enable the indigenous development o equipment and system.
  • So far, the Navy has indigenized around 3400 items under INIP, including over 2000 machinery and electrical spares, over 1000 aviation spares, and over 250 weapon spares.
• Naval Aviation Indigenization Roadmap 2019-22:
  • The existing Naval Aviation Indigenization Roadmap (NAIR) 2019-22 is too under revision.
  • All fast-moving aircraft mandatory spares and high-cost indigenous repairs are being included in the revised NAIR 2022-27.
• Indigenization Committees: Four in-house indigenization committees have been formed to handle the indigenization of spares with respect to naval aircraft.
• Naval Liaison Cells: In addition, the Naval Liaison Cells (NLCs) located at various places have been nominated as ‘indigenization cells.
• Collaboration with DRDO: The Navy is working with the Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the industry to cut down developmental timelines.
• Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO): Launched in August 2020, it provides a flexible and accessible interface for academia and industry with the Indian Navy capability development apparatus.

Related initiates:

• Corporatization of the ordnance factory Boards: To improve autonomy, accountability, and efficiency in ordnance suppliers.
• Increased the FDI limit from 49% to 74%: It will likely result in better access to modern technology.
• Defense India Start-up Challenge (DISC): DISC aims at supporting Startups/MSMEs (Micro Small and Medium Enterprises)/Innovators to create prototypes and/or commercialize products/solutions in the area of National Defence and Security.
• SRIJAN Portal: It is a one-stop shop online portal that provides access to the vendors to take up items that can be taken up for indigenization.
• Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX): iDEX aims to promote innovation and technology development in Defence and Aerospace.