Looks like the TEDBF is going nowhere. India is moving forward with the procurement of 114 Rafale 4.5-generation fighter jets. The deal is worth ₹3.25 lakh crore. The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, is currently on a visit to France and will be visiting Dassault Aviation and MBDA, the manufacturer of the Meteor missile.

On June 1, according to a report by ANI, India issued a Letter of Request (LoR) to France. The report also mentioned that the Indian Navy is interested in procuring 31 additional Rafale-M or Rafale Marine fighter jets, the carrier-borne version of the Rafale.

On April 28, 2025, India signed a deal with France to procure 26 Rafale-Marine fighter jets valued at approximately ₹63,000 crore. The first batch of four Rafale-M jets is expected to arrive in 2029. The deal includes 22 single-seat jets and four twin-seat jets. These aircraft are intended to replace the Russian MiG-29K fighter jets in the Indian Navy, which were first inducted on February 19, 2010, at INS Hansa naval air station in Goa.

The question arises: if the Indian Navy goes ahead with 31 more Rafale-M fighters, what happens to the TEDBF?

The Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF) is an ambitious programme aimed at replacing the MiG-29K fleet of the Indian Navy. The programme began around 2019–20 after the Navy expressed dissatisfaction with the naval version of the LCA Tejas, known as the N-LCA. Despite this, the N-LCA Mk-1 programme continued, achieving its first successful carrier landing aboard INS Vikramaditya on January 11, 2020.

On January 25, 2017, the Indian Navy issued a requirement for 57 Multi-Role Carrier-Borne Fighters (MRCBF). Of these 57 aircraft, India has already signed a deal with France for 26 Rafale-M fighters. The remaining requirement of 31 aircraft was expected to be met by the TEDBF.

The first flight of the TEDBF is now expected around 2029–30 due to revised timelines, whereas earlier projections had envisaged an earlier maiden flight. The aircraft is expected to enter service with the Indian Navy around 2038. Currently, the project is at the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) stage, with the design phase having been completed.

The TEDBF is a 4++ generation fighter jet with a weight of 26 tonnes and a top speed of Mach 1.8. The aircraft will feature an AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar, an IRST (Infrared Search and Track) sensor, and a MAWS (Missile Approach Warning System). It will be armed with a range of air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons.

On the other hand, the Rafale-M is equipped with the Thales RBE2 AESA radar and the SPECTRA electronic warfare suite, providing enhanced situational awareness and survivability. It is powered by two Snecma M88 engines. Each engine generates 50 kN of dry thrust and 75 kN with afterburner, providing a combined thrust output of 150 kN. In comparison, the TEDBF's twin GE F414 engines generate 58.5 kN of dry thrust and up to 98 kN with afterburner per engine.

Unfortunately, there is one concern regarding the GE engines: timely delivery. The LCA Tejas Mk-1A programme has already faced delays due to supply chain issues affecting deliveries of the GE F404 engine. However, the GE F414 is expected to be manufactured in India through a partnership between HAL and GE. The engine will power three major Indian combat aircraft programmes: the TEDBF, LCA Mk-2, and AMCA.

The Rafale-M has the same top speed as the TEDBF, at Mach 1.8. However, the Rafale-M is currently integrated primarily with French-origin weapons such as the SCALP cruise missile, Meteor beyond-visual-range missile, and Exocet anti-ship missile. The TEDBF, on the other hand, is expected to integrate both indigenous and foreign weapons already in service with the Indian Navy.

If the Indian Navy proceeds with the acquisition of 31 additional Rafale-M fighters, India would become the second-largest Rafale operator in the world after France. Combined across the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy, the total Rafale fleet could reach 207 aircraft, assuming the proposed procurement of 114 Rafales for the Air Force and 31 additional Rafale-M fighters for the Navy goes ahead.

Arjun Dev Singh

Arjun Dev Singh has a deep interest in defence, security, and strategic affairs. With a strong analytical lens and a passion for military and geopolitical developments, Arjun strives to bring clarity and context to complex national and international issues.