MiG-29K Aircraft Replacement, Indian TEDBF Breaks Cover at Aero India 2021

Replacement for the Indian Navy’s MiG-29K fighter jet, the Twin engine deck based fighter (TEDBF) has broken cover at Aero India 2021.

A spin off from the light combat aircraft project, the TEDBF will be the first twin engine aircraft project in India that too for dedicated carrier based operations.

The development of the aircraft signals the beginning of the end of foreign aircraft for carrier based operations in India.

Expected to become operations in less than a decade, the TEDBF will operate from the INS Vikramaditya and the upcoming indigenous aircraft carrier.

A scale model of the TEDBF  has been displayed at the DRDO’s stall at Aero India. According to an information brochure accompanying the model, the aircraft will be equipped with predominately domestic weapons. It will have a maximum mach number of 1.6, service ceiling of 60,000 feet, maximum take off weight of 26 tons, unfolded wing span of 11.2 meters, folded wing span of 7.2 and  and  a length of 16.3 meters.

While the engine configuration has not been disclosed, it could well use the GE engines that power the LCA Tejas aircraft.

The TEDBF project is yet to receive the Indian government’s go-ahead.