TEDBF — Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter
Indian Navy
STATUS: DEVELOPMENT (Stage 2/5)
Target Timeline: 2029 (First Flight) / 2034 (Carrier Induction)
TARGET INDUCTION
2029 (First Flight) / 2034 (Carrier Induction)
LEAD AGENCY
Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) / HAL
Max Takeoff Weight
26 tonnes (STOBAR operations)
Engines
2 x GE F414-INS6 Turbofans
PROGRAMME OVERVIEW
The Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF) is an indigenous 4.5+ generation multi-role naval combat aircraft designed to operate from the ski-jump flight decks of INS Vikrant, INS Vikramaditya, and future Indian aircraft carriers. Replacing the MiG-29K fleet, TEDBF features foldable wings, heavy payload carriage, and dedicated maritime strike capabilities.
STRATEGIC POWER PROJECTION
TEDBF establishes sovereign naval aviation capability for the Indian Navy, ensuring carrier battle groups are equipped with state-of-the-art multi-role combat aircraft without reliance on foreign carrier fighters.
KEY DISRUPTIVE TECHNOLOGIES
TECH DOMAIN
Twin GE F414-INS6 engines optimized for high-power carrier ski-jump launch
TECH DOMAIN
Folding wingtips for compact carrier deck and hangar elevator stowage
TECH DOMAIN
Heavy-duty naval landing gear and arrester hook mechanism for arrested recovery
TECH DOMAIN
AESA radar with specialized maritime surface-search and sea-skimming missile tracking modes
TECH DOMAIN
Carriage of heavy anti-ship missiles including BrahMos-NG
PROJECTED TARGET SPECIFICATIONS
| Max Takeoff Weight | 26 tonnes (STOBAR operations) |
| Engines | 2 x GE F414-INS6 Turbofans |
| Max Speed | Mach 1.6 |
| Combat Radius | 1,000+ km |
| Armament | Astra Mk-2/3 BVR, BrahMos-NG, Rudram-2 Anti-Radiation Missiles |