Ex-IAF vice chief questions Tejas Mk-2 relevance in 2030s

Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor (Retd), who stepped down as IAF vice chief two months ago, has said the Tejas Mk-2 fighter jet may be operationally irrelevant by the mid-2030s. In an interview with NDTV, he said fourth-generation aircraft would not be viable when China is already testing sixth-generation prototypes. 'No, operationally, definitely no,' he said when asked about the Mk-2's frontline role.

Kapoor criticised Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for repeated delays, saying promised deliveries were denied on 'one pretext or the other'. HAL expects to deliver the first 18-25 Tejas Mk-1A jets by March 2027, years behind schedule. The Times of India notes the delays are partly due to late engine supplies from GE and complex software validation.

Kapoor did not rule out a supporting role for the Tejas Mk-2 in gap-filling, given India's large geography. He suggested India join global sixth-generation programmes like Europe's FCAS or the UK-Japan-Italy GCAP instead of pursuing incremental upgrades. The Hindustan Times reports his remarks echo similar concerns voiced by Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh in May 2025.