An aircraft carrier is considered the most valuable sea-based asset and offers an incomparable military instrument with its ability to project tactical Air Power over long distances, including Air Interdiction, Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW), offensive and defensive Counter-Air, AEA and AEW. And the future superpower India is planning to project its military might very soon.
To achieve these ambitious goals the Indian Defence Ministry has charted out multiple road maps. When it comes to aircraft carrier operations, fighter jets are the primary weapons. Carrier-based aircraft, sometimes known as carrier-capable aircraft or carrier-borne aircraft, are naval aircraft designed for operations from aircraft carriers. They must be able to launch in a short distance and be sturdy enough to withstand the abrupt forces of launching from and recovering on a pitching deck. In addition, their wings are generally able to fold up, easing operations in tight quarters.
India is so far an importer of major weapon platforms from the west and the Russians. Russia has been the main source of fighter jets for the Indian Airforce and Navy. But with the vast experience gathered from Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) program, the Indian Navy is betting on the new variant of LCA – Tejas fighter project. Known as TEDBF.
The HAL Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter is a canard delta wing, twin-engine, carrier-based, multirole combat aircraft currently under development for the Indian Navy. The TEDBF is being designed and developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency and will be manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.
The TEDBF will provide a massive boost for the Indian Navy’s future firepower. With IAC2 the INS Vishal is under consideration and in the advanced planning stage. The Indian Navy is planning to operate three Aircraft Carrier, Battlegroups. Which two aircraft carrier groups will be operational at all times from the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean Region. While one will be in reserve.
The government of India approved the TEDBF project in mid-2020, for which ₹13,000 crores is expected to be sanctioned for the program soon. The aircraft will have canards to increase the lifting surface area and will employ two General Electric F414 engines. The first flight is expected in 2026.
"We designed the INS Vikrant (IAC1) for operating the MiG-29K but we would be ultimately deploying the indigenous TEDBF fighter aircraft for which we are working with DRDO. For the interim, we are looking at Rafale and F-18 and trials have been carried out": Indian Navy's Vice Admiral SN Ghormade said during a press meet.
As per the sources, Indian Navy plans to buy 45 TEDBF initially. TEDBF will replace the Russian-made Mig 29K fighters. TEDBF will be a Semi-Stealth Aircraft with 5th generation technologies with the most advanced weapon systems and avionics.
