Platform profile · India · Carrier-based multirole fighter · Indian Navy (intended)
Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF)
DevelopmentThe design programme was nearing final government approval in December 2025, but prototype development had not yet received publicly confirmed full-scale sanction.
On 2 December 2025, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi said TEDBF was nearing final government approval, but no full-scale development sanction or flying prototype had been publicly announced by 13 July 2026. At Aero India 2025, an Aeronautical Development Agency official targeted the Critical Design Review for 2026 and government sanction for 2027. TEDBF is India's planned twin-engine carrier fighter for replacing the MiG-29K and succeeding the interim Rafale M acquisition in the longer term. Its progress matters because an indigenous carrier fighter would reduce foreign dependence while supporting Indian naval air power against expanding Chinese activity in the Indian Ocean.
Updated 31 May 2026
Verified figures
Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Length | 16.3 m ↗ |
| Wingspan | 11.2 m unfolded ↗ |
| Folded wingspan | 7.6 m ↗ |
| Maximum take-off weight | 26,000 kg ↗ |
| Powerplant (planned) | 2 × GE F414-GE-INS6 afterburning turbofans; approximately 98 kN each ↗ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 1.6 ↗ |
| Service ceiling | 60,000 ft ↗ |
| Flight-load limits | +8 g / -3 g ↗ |
| Combat radius (planned) | Approximately 800-900 km ↗ |
| External payload (planned) | Up to 9,000 kg across 11 hardpoints ↗ |
Spec sources: janes.com ↗ · defencenewsindia.in ↗
Changelog
Program timeline
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The Chief of the Naval Staff described TEDBF as the cornerstone of the Navy’s long-term carrier-aviation roadmap, being pursued as a 4++ generation fighter with the Aeronautical Development Agency.
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HAL and GE Aerospace concluded a technical agreement advancing Indian production of the F414-INS6 engine intended for Tejas Mk2, TEDBF and AMCA.
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Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi said during his annual press conference that TEDBF was nearing final government approval before prototype work could begin.
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An ADA official said the programme was targeting its Critical Design Review in 2026 and government sanction in 2027, with five prototypes planned under an approximately ₹14,000 crore development proposal.
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The Ministry of Defence announced that a scale model of the planned 4++ generation TEDBF would be displayed at Aero India 2025.
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ADA said it was preparing the Preliminary Design Review for government submission and estimated that TEDBF qualification would require more than 1,000 flight tests.
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HAL publicly showcased the TEDBF concept for the first time at Aero India 2021 with an 11.2 m folding wing and 26 t maximum take-off weight.
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The Naval Light Combat Aircraft completed its first arrested landing on INS Vikramaditya, validating carrier-landing technologies intended to inform the subsequent TEDBF programme.
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