India now has official target dates for its two most important fighter jet programmes. Speaking at the NDTV Defence Summit in Delhi on 27 September, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh confirmed that the Tejas MK-2 prototype is expected to fly by September 2027.

The fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is targeted for its first prototype flight in September 2028.

He added that HAL is expected to deliver one squadron of Tejas MK-1A aircraft by the end of this year. MK-2 prototype test flights are planned between June and September 2027, though he acknowledged the window could slip by a few months.

Tejas MK-2: What the Medium Weight Fighter Brings

The Tejas MK-2, also called the Medium Weight Fighter (MWF), is being developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Bengaluru. 

It is a larger, more capable upgrade of the MK-1A. It is intended to replace the Indian Air Force's ageing Jaguar, Mirage-2000 and MiG-29 fleets.

The design uses close-coupled canards for better manoeuvrability, along with an infrared search and track (IRST) system. The jet will carry a range of indigenous weapons, including Astra air-to-air missiles, the Rudram anti-radiation missile, guided bombs and future systems such as BrahMos-NG. 

Its mission profile covers air superiority, deep strike and suppression of enemy air defences (SEAD), giving the IAF a stronger medium-weight platform for high-intensity operations.

AMCA: India's Fifth-Generation Stealth Fighter

The AMCA is India's flagship stealth fighter programme. It features a twin-engine design, an internal weapons bay, radar-absorbing materials, sensor fusion and advanced electronic warfare systems.

• The AMCA MK-1 will use General Electric F414 engines, while a more powerful indigenous engine is planned for the MK-2 variant. 
• The aircraft can carry 1,500 kg of payload internally while staying stealthy, with external hardpoints available for missions where low observability matters less. 

It is designed for air dominance, long-range precision strikes and network-centric warfare.

Where does the AMCA Programme Stand?

In 2024, the Cabinet Committee on Security cleared the Full Scale Engineering Development phase at roughly ₹15,000 crore for five flying prototypes. 

In May 2025, the defence ministry approved a model under which ADA will execute the programme jointly with a private industry partner. The bidding deadline for that partner has been extended twice and now stands at the end of September.

The selected company must build five prototypes and one structural test specimen, achieve a maiden flight within 30 months of signing the contract, and complete an 84-month programme involving 1,800 test sorties before series production begins. 

Earlier projections of a prototype rollout in late 2026 or early 2027 and induction by 2034 now depend largely on when the contract is signed.

Global Context and Sixth-Generation Ambitions

South Korea's KF-21 Boramae has already delivered its first production aircraft and plans to declare the type operational in the second half of 2027, adding pressure on India's timeline.

At the same summit, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said India is working towards sixth-generation fighter jets, building capabilities for the warfare of the next two decades.

Why Does This Matter for Defence Aspirants?

Indigenous fighter programmes, engine deals and IAF modernisation are frequent topics in the GAT, GK and current affairs sections of NDA, CDS and AFCAT, as well as SSB lecturettes and group discussions. Facts like the MK-2's F414-INS6 engine, AMCA's fifth-generation features and the ₹15,000 crore FSED approval are worth noting.

At Major Kalshi Classes (MKC), our faculty regularly breaks down defence news like this into exam-ready notes for NDA, CDS and AFCAT aspirants. Follow MKC for timely defence current affairs updates that help you prepare smarter.