When I heard that Dr. P.K. Mishra, the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, was visiting the HAL Bengaluru aerospace facility, I knew this wasn’t just another high-level formality; it meant something was moving. And it wasn’t. The Dr PK Mishra Tejas MkII visit, which took place on 9 July 2025, was a clear, powerful signal: India is backing its indigenous fighter jet development with serious intent.
This visit didn’t just highlight the Tejas MkII project. It showcased a moment where policy, production, and purpose met face-to-face, and in many ways, it felt like a milestone in the making.
Why the PMO Walked Into HAL: More Than Symbolism
To understand the weight of this P.M. secretary visit to HAL, you need to see it in context. The Tejas MkII is not just a jet; it’s a generational shift in how India sees its aerospace future. This fighter, with a more powerful GE F414 engine, improved sensors, and expanded capabilities, is designed to do the work of three older jets: MiG-29, Mirage 2000, and Jaguar.
So when the Prime Minister’s top aide walks into the LCA Mk2 hangar, he’s not just looking at hardware. He’s looking at timelines, performance targets, procurement schedules, and roadblocks. That’s what this Principal Secretary PMO defence visit was about: accelerating decisions, ensuring inter-agency synergy, and confirming that Tejas MkII stays on track for its 2026 prototype rollout.
Inside HAL’s LCA Mk2 Hangar: Real Progress You Can Touch
When I spoke to a former HAL engineer about the MkII line, he said: “Mk1A was confidence. MkII is ambition.”
And you could see that during this HAL Tejas MkII development update. Dr. Mishra was shown:
- A nearly complete front fuselage section
- Indigenous flight control software
- The mock-up of the digital cockpit
- Avionics and EW suites are being locally tested
All of this at the HAL Bengaluru aerospace facility, which is fast becoming the heart of advanced indigenous fighter programmes. This isn’t a paper project anymore. The LCA Mk2 progress HAL Bengaluru team is working hands-on to deliver what the IAF badly needs: a true multirole, medium-weight combat aircraft made in India, for India.
The Tejas MkII vs Mk1A Debate: A Strategic Shift
Let’s get one thing straight: Tejas MkII vs Tejas Mk1A isn’t a competition. It’s a transition strategy.
From my perspective, the Mk1A is the IAF’s urgent fix, coming in bulk, with 97 jets ordered, to replace ageing fighters and stabilise squadrons. But MkII? That’s the future taking shape. It’s not just the next in line, it’s the bridge to the AMCA era, designed to carry India’s airpower into a bold new chapter.
Dr. Mishra, during his tour of the HAL Tejas Mk1A assembly line, saw how HAL has ramped up production using automated tooling, digital inspection systems, and dual assembly bays. This is what will help India meet its IAF squadron strength 2031 goal, when old MiGs are phased out and Tejas jets become frontline protectors of Indian skies.
What Made This Visit Different: Conversations That Matter
What stood out during this Dr PK Mishra Tejas MkII visit wasn’t just the walkthrough. It was the intensity of the discussion. According to internal sources:
- Dr. Mishra reviewed vendor delays and gave directives for faster approvals.
- HAL requested more support on material imports for critical radar components.
- Talks on further indigenisation of the GE F414 engine India is acquiring were taken seriously, with discussion on future local production modules.
This wasn’t a show-and-tell. This was problem-solving in motion.
HAL Bengaluru Aerospace Facility: Quietly Leading a Revolution
Most people think of HAL only as an assembly shop. But this visit proved how outdated that view is. The HAL Bengaluru aerospace facility is now developing:
- Airframe sections for upcoming UAVs
- Composite structures for LUH and LCH helicopters
- Avionics packages for joint projects with DRDO
It’s the backbone that quietly keeps Make in India defence projects moving forward. And with the government’s backing through the P.M. secretary visit to HAL, the facility now has more weight behind its mission than ever before.
Why the GE F414 Engine Matters
The GE F414 engine India chose for the Tejas MkII gives the aircraft the extra thrust needed to move into a heavier, longer-range, higher-payload category. But what’s more important is HAL’s push to localise the engine support ecosystem.
This engine is the heart of the MkII, and if we can produce its components in India over time, we’ll achieve something the IAF has always wanted: true fighter jet autonomy.
Tejas MkII: What’s at Stake?
Let’s be honest, India cannot afford to delay this anymore. China is flying 5th-gen jets. Pakistan is getting upgraded platforms. And every year, loss is a capability gap.
But here’s the good news: The Tejas MkII programme, after years of uncertainty, now has the wind behind its wings. And the Dr PK Mishra Tejas MkII visit may have been the moment that shifted the pace from cautious to committed.
Conclusion: A Visit That Meant Business
From where I stood, this Principal Secretary PMO defence visit to HAL felt like more than just oversight; it was reassurance in motion. It sent a quiet, powerful message to every engineer, technician, and officer working behind the scenes: “You’re not carrying this alone anymore, we’re with you now.”
The P.M. secretary visit to HAL gave the Tejas MkII programme exactly what it needed: political will, executive urgency, and administrative clarity.
And if HAL continues at this pace, if the momentum from this visit holds, I believe India will not only meet its IAF squadron strength 2031 target, but exceed it with pride.
The Tejas MkII won’t just be a fighter jet. It’ll be a flying symbol of India’s faith in itself.