As part of a larger national drive towards self-reliance in cutting-edge defence technologies, the Indian Navy is making notable progress in enhancing its aerial capabilities with domestically produced fifth-generation fighter jets.
The future Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF) program is reportedly being created to possibly be the naval equivalent of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) that the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) is creating for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
India’s ambitious plan to create a carrier-based fighter jet with cutting-edge capabilities to eventually replace the Russian-origin MiG-29Ks now serving in the Indian Navy is embodied by the TEDBF program. The Indian Navy and the Aeronautical Development Agency of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) are collaborating on this project at the design stage. The aircraft will be able to operate from both present and future Indian aircraft carriers. Although the TEDBF program was first envisioned as a 4.5-generation platform, new information indicates that it is likely to evolve significantly into a full-fledged fifth-generation stealth jet, which would duplicate the capabilities being developed for the AMCA.
With a completion date of early 2025, ADA is presently at the TEDBF’s Critical Design Review (CDR) phase. It’s unclear, though, if this study includes the internal weapons bay changes and stealth technologies that would be required for a true fifth-generation aircraft. The ambitious but well-planned TEDBF roadmap is for rollout by 2030, maiden flight in 2032, and induction into naval duty by 2036, pending funding from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), which is expected in 2026.
The TEDBF, the AMCA’s naval equivalent, would integrate comparable cutting-edge technologies while customising them to meet the particular needs of carrier-based operations. In order to facilitate hangar storage and maintenance on aircraft carriers, the twin-engine medium-weight fighter would have folding wings, which is an essential characteristic for carrier operations. When folded, the wingspan would decrease from 11.2 meters to 7.6 meters. Compatibility with both the INS Vikramaditya and the domestic aircraft carriers that are now being developed is guaranteed by this design consideration.
The TEDBF would have stealth qualities like the AMCA’s, such as a low electromagnetic signature to avoid enemy radar detection, if it develops into a fifth-generation fighter. Advanced avionics, low-probability-of-interception radar, nimble airframes with super cruise performance, stealth capabilities, and highly integrated computer systems for improved situational awareness and command, control, and communications capabilities are all common features of fifth-generation aircraft.
Similar to the AMCA, it is anticipated that the TEDBF will be powered by GE F414 engines at first, with the possibility of switching to an indigenous 110kN engine, as is the case with the AMCA MK-2 variant. This would provide the naval fighter remarkable performance characteristics, such as a maximum speed of Mach 1.6 and a predicted fighting radius of 1,000 km. If the fifth-generation characteristics are added, the aircraft’s multi-role adaptability would allow it to perform ground attack, air supremacy, and anti-ship operations, all of which would be improved by stealth capabilities.
India’s strategic imperatives are seen in the development of a fifth-generation naval fighter jet that is domestically produced. With the US deploying the F-35B/C for carrier operations and China developing the J-35, India aims to achieve technological parity in the Indian Ocean Region through domestic capabilities. The Indian Navy’s force projection capabilities would be greatly increased with a stealth-enabled TEDBF, enabling covert approaches to targets and increased survivability in contested airspace.
The TEDBF’s operational efficacy in both offensive and defensive circumstances would be significantly increased by its ability to discreetly carry precision-guided munitions like the Astra MK-3 or Rudram series thanks to an internal weapons bay, a characteristic of fifth-generation fighters. With this capacity, India would join the exclusive few countries with in-house carrier-based stealth fighter technology, marking a significant advancement over the current generation of naval fighters.
The technological underpinning for the TEDBF’s development is the AMCA program, which in March 2024 was approved by CCS for ₹15,000 crore to develop and produce five prototypes over the following five years. The naval variant might benefit from the adaptation of many of the cutting-edge technologies being developed for the AMCA, which might speed up development schedules and create synergies between the two programs.
The AMCA itself is intended to be a 25-ton twin-engine aircraft with sophisticated stealth capabilities, an internal weapons bay, and a 6.5-ton fuel tank. The program has a two-variant strategy: the more sophisticated AMCA MK-2, which uses an indigenous 110kN engine created by DRDO’s Gas Turbine Research Establishment in cooperation with international partners, and the AMCA MK-1, which uses US-built GE414 engines. The TEDBF program might adopt this same developmental strategy, enabling progressive competence enhancement.
There are many technological obstacles in converting a land-based stealth fighter idea into an aircraft that can fly on carriers. “The transition to fifth-generation specs would require significant redesign—intakes, fuselage shaping, and weapons integration,” according to defence analyst Ranesh Rajan. In spite of these structural upgrades, naval fighters must endure the severe corrosive conditions of maritime operations, absorb the significant pressures of carrier landings, and retain stealth characteristics.ip
Significant technical obstacles must be overcome in order to convert a land-based stealth fighter idea into an aircraft that can fly on carriers. According to defence researcher Ranesh Rajan, “considerable redesign—intakes, fuselage shaping, and weapons integration—would be required to transition to fifth-generation specs.” Despite these structural reinforcements, naval fighters nevertheless need to handle the significant pressures of carrier landings, endure the harsh, corrosive environment of sea missions, and retain stealth characteristics.
Furthermore, the folding wing mechanism’s integration with stealth technology poses special engineering difficulties not encountered by fighters stationed on land. Even with the extra joints and seams needed for the folding mechanism, which typically result in radar reflection sites that jeopardise stealth, the aircraft must remain low observability.
The nation’s aerospace capabilities and strategic position have advanced significantly with India’s pursuit of an indigenous fifth-generation naval fighter. India’s increasing technological aspirations and dedication to self-reliance in vital defence technology are demonstrated by the TEDBF program’s transformation from a traditional 4.5-generation fighter to a possible fifth-generation stealth aircraft. Should this program be successful, India would join a select few countries that can develop and produce cutting-edge carrier-based stealth aircraft, significantly increasing the Indian Navy’s combat capabilities and strategic reach in the Indian Ocean Region and beyond.
Although there are still issues with the technical execution and development schedule, there is hope for the TEDBF’s future due to possible synergies with the more established AMCA program and India’s expanding expertise in developing domestic aircraft through initiatives like the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas. As this program progresses from idea to prototype, the upcoming years will be crucial, and India’s marine security and defence industrial base would be greatly impacted.
