The Indian Air Force is looking beyond the current Tejas Mk1A programme as it prepares for the next phase of indigenous fighter aircraft development. Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh has highlighted the potential of the Tejas Mk2 and the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), saying India’s defence aviation sector is moving towards a more advanced phase of domestic fighter production.
Singh made the remarks during Exercise Veer Guardian 2026 at Jodhpur, where he flew a Tejas fighter alongside activities involving the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force. His comments come as the Indian defence aviation industry continues to work through challenges affecting the delivery of Tejas Mk1A aircraft.
According to recent reports, some Tejas Mk1A deliveries have been affected by global supply-chain constraints and pending integration of critical systems. HAL has completed a number of aircraft airframes, but the first deliveries to the IAF have remained delayed while outstanding issues are addressed. The IAF has 180 Tejas Mk1A aircraft on order.
Against this backdrop, the IAF Chief’s emphasis on Tejas Mk2 and AMCA points to the service’s longer-term fighter modernisation plans. The Tejas Mk2 is being developed as a larger and more capable member of the Tejas family, while AMCA is intended to provide India with an indigenous fifth-generation fighter aircraft.
Singh said India’s defence aviation ecosystem, including research and development and manufacturing, is expanding rapidly. He also acknowledged that supply-chain disruptions have affected some aircraft deliveries but maintained that the country’s indigenous aviation sector has made significant progress.
His comments came after a notable Tejas sortie during Veer Guardian 2026. Japanese Air Self-Defense Force Chief General Takehiro Morita flew in a Tejas twin-seat aircraft with an Indian Air Force pilot, while Singh flew a separate Tejas. The sortie took place during the bilateral exercise being conducted at Jodhpur.
Exercise Veer Guardian 2026 is being conducted from September 9 to 22 and involves Tejas, Su-30MKI and Rafale fighters from the IAF, along with F-2A fighter aircraft from Japan. The exercise is also the first occasion on which Japanese fighter aircraft have operated from Indian soil as part of the bilateral air exercise.
The development comes shortly after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh raised concerns over delays in critical defence projects. At a September 18 event, he stressed the importance of timely completion of defence programmes, while HAL simultaneously handed over indigenous aviation platforms including Tejas trainers and HTT-40 aircraft to the IAF.
With Tejas Mk1A deliveries still working through immediate programme challenges, the focus on Tejas Mk2 and AMCA reflects India’s broader effort to build an indigenous fighter ecosystem capable of supporting the IAF’s requirements in the coming decades.
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