India’s TEDBF: A Game Changer for Naval Air Power

The TEDBF, designed for India’s aircraft carriers, will play a critical role in strengthening the country’s maritime defense capabilities

As global military aviation moves towards sixth-generation fighters, India is progressing significantly. The country is developing two indigenous fifth-generation fighter jets. The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is for the Indian Air Force (IAF). The Twin-Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF) is for the Indian Navy. With these advanced programs, India is set to join an exclusive group of nations. This group is presently limited to the United States (F-22, F-35) and China (J-20, J-35). These nations have multiple fifth-generation fighter jets.

The TEDBF, designed for India’s aircraft carriers, will play a critical role in strengthening the country’s maritime defense capabilities. According to Amitabh Saraf, Project Director of TEDBF, the aircraft is in the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) phase. The primary design is set for completion by June 2025. After this, the program will advance to Critical Design Phase and Wind Tunnel Testing before prototype trials. Saraf highlighted that TEDBF will be a fully indigenous fighter, reinforcing India’s commitment to self-reliance in defense manufacturing.

The 26-ton multi-role TEDBF will have an operational range of 800–900 km over the ocean. TEDBF will carry 7,000 kg of fuel. It will feature mid-air refueling ability. It will be equipped with 12 hardpoints for advanced weapons, including BrahMos and Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missiles. While it will not have full stealth ability, it will incorporate radar-evading technologies to enhance survivability. Additionally, TEDBF will serve as a mid-air refueling tanker, capable of refueling four to five other planes during missions.

In September 2022, India’s naval aviation took a major leap ahead. Prime Minister Narendra Modi commissioned INS Vikrant. It is the country’s first indigenous plane carrier. Still, the Indian Navy still lacks a modern, twin-engine indigenous fighter for carrier-based operations. The LCA Navy was a significant achievement. Yet, it was deemed unsuitable due to its single-engine design. Its weight limitations also contributed to its unsuitability. This led to the push for TEDBF.

Presently, China’s J-35 and the U.S. F-35B/C dominate carrier-based fifth-generation fighter aviation, giving their navies a strategic edge. With TEDBF, India aims to bridge this gap and enhance its presence in the Indian Ocean and beyond. The first TEDBF prototypes are expected to take flight by 2028. Full deployment is projected by 2035. This will significantly bolster India’s air and naval defense capabilities.