India’s indigenous fighter jet program has entered a defining phase in 2025 with the introduction of Tejas Mk2 fuel upgrades, a package of fuel system enhancements designed to extend the HAL Tejas Mk2 fighter jet’s range and endurance. As reported across Indian defence aviation news, these upgrades are more than a technical tweak; they are a practical leap that tightens logistics, simplifies mission planning, and boosts daily sortie confidence for the Indian Air Force.
The headline change is simple yet significant. New 1700-litre wing drop tanks, paired with a 1300-litre fuselage tank, deliver a major fuel capacity increase for the Tejas Mk2. This combination enables in-flight range improvements, supports long-endurance air missions, and reduces fighter jet refuelling requirements during high-tempo operations. It also showcases how a Made in India combat aircraft can advance through iterative engineering rather than costly, large-scale redesigns.
Tejas MK2 Fuel Upgrades: Key Changes as of 14th August 2025
Officially classified as a Medium Weight Fighter (MWF), the Indian Air Force Tejas Mk2 now benefits from a comprehensive 2025 upgrade package that integrates fuel, sensors, and software.
In essence, the Tejas Mk2 upgrades 2025 initiative targets range, persistence, and survivability. From my perspective, three core pillars define its real-world impact for pilots and mission planners.
1700-litre wing drop tanks
The wing-mounted tanks are optimised for low drag and stable handling. For aircrews, the advantage is felt in mission execution rather than just on the spec sheet. Extra fuel means fewer tanker brackets, longer time on station, and more flexible routing when weather shifts or threat envelopes change. In operational terms, the Tejas Mk2’s new drop tank specifications deliver longer patrol endurance and greater diversion options without sacrificing weapon or pod carriage.
1300-litre fuselage tank
The fuselage tank adds extra fuel capacity without occupying weapon stations. Its streamlined, conical design keeps the aircraft agile and responsive at transonic speeds. When paired with the wing tanks, it delivers an operational range with drop tanks that previously required tanker support or forward staging.
How the new tanks transform range and tempo
With external tanks fitted, the Tejas Mk2 gains significant advantages in operational planning. First, its combat radius expands, broadening the scope of extended strike range missions. Second, persistent patrols, including border CAPs and maritime screens, can operate for longer legs with fewer handovers.
Third, pilots gain valuable flexibility, as the extra fuel from the Tejas Mk2 fuel upgrades allows safe diversions when airfields close or mission parameters change mid-flight. In short, these enhancements deliver measurable improvements in mission endurance and combat reach, the kind that make a tangible difference in every squadron schedule.
Numbers naturally invite comparison. In Tejas Mk2 range vs Tejas Mk1A scenarios, the Tejas Mk2 drop tanks range increase, combined with improved fuel management, steadily boosts the Tejas Mk2 maximum flight range. This added endurance creates the flexibility to carry heavier sensor pods or stand-off weapons without forcing difficult trade-offs.
Tejas Mk2 vs Tejas Mk1A: Fuel Capacity and Range Comparison
| Feature | Tejas Mk1A | Tejas Mk2 (with upgrades) |
|---|---|---|
| Internal Fuel Capacity | ~2,458 litres | ~3,300 litres |
| External Fuel Capacity | ~2,400 litres | ~4,700 litres |
| Max Combat Radius (est.) | ~500–550 km | 750+ km |
| Max Flight Range (est.) | ~1,700 km | 2,500+ km |
Ranges are indicative and vary depending on payload, altitude, routing, and speed.
Avionics, powerplant and payload: the rest of the package
Fuel is the enabler, but the jet’s avionics and propulsion ensure that the extra range from the fuel upgrades for Tejas Mk2 delivers real combat effectiveness. Combined with the Tejas Mk2 fighter jet fuel system enhancements, these upgrades convert added endurance into a clear operational advantage for the Indian Air Force.
GE F414-INS6 engine
The GE F414-INS6 engine provides strong thrust and thermal margins, allowing the aircraft to carry fuel tanks while maintaining agility. For a deeper technical breakdown, see my GE F414-INS6 engine explainer.
AESA radar and EW suite
The AESA radar Tejas Mk2 system works in tandem with upgraded electronic warfare tools to enhance pilot situational awareness and survivability. Together, the fuel upgrades for Tejas Mk2 and advanced sensing provide more time to complete missions or disengage safely when required.
Weapon payload flexibility
The Tejas Mk2 weapon payload capacity remains central to its multirole design. Even with external fuel tanks fitted, the aircraft can carry a credible mix of air-to-air and precision-strike weapons for diverse missions. This versatility, paired with the extended range from the fuel upgrades for Tejas Mk2, further enhances its multirole capabilities in air defence, interdiction, and maritime strike roles.
Operational impact for the Indian Air Force
From an operational planning perspective, the advantages add up quickly. Squadron schedulers can create mission packages with fewer tanker requirements and more flexible timing windows. Pilots gain extended timelines to prosecute targets, whether executing a rapid interception or a planned maritime operation.
These changes represent one of the most practical Indian Air Force fighter jet upgrades in recent years, delivering measurable benefits across multiple mission profiles.
These advantages also shape doctrine. Extended range capabilities enable more distributed operations and make forward-deployed detachments more effective.
Where Mk2 stands in the lineup
The HAL Tejas Mk2 fighter jet occupies a strategic middle ground. It is lighter and more economical to operate than heavy twin-engine fighters, yet it now offers greater reach than earlier Tejas variants. This extended range strengthens the Tejas Mk2 long-distance strike capability for missions that once depended on larger, more expensive platforms. The HAL Tejas Mk2 fuel tank design improvements preserve agility while delivering the range that modern missions demand.
For readers following the programme’s evolution, my Tejas Mk2 prototype timeline outlines the design decisions led by the HAL Aeronautical Development Agency, while my analysis of Mk1A weapons and payloads explains how the fleet’s baseline capabilities were developed.
Export Outlook and Make in India momentum
Credibility drives exports. The steady stream of HAL Tejas Mk2 news, supported by visible flight test milestones and transparent performance data, is shaping perceptions abroad. Improved fuel efficiency for fighter aircraft and secure supply chains further strengthen the Tejas Mk2 export potential.
For nations prioritising independent maintenance and training, this Made in India combat aircraft offers predictable costs, localised support, and the flexibility to integrate national systems. In the wider context of Indian defence aviation news, the Tejas Mk2 stands as a flagship of India’s maturing aerospace capabilities.
For potential operators, it delivers long-range performance without the logistical and financial demands of heavier fighters. Countries with extensive borders or maritime zones will find the cost-performance ratio compelling. India’s indigenous fighter jet ecosystem now offers a platform that sells itself through proven capability rather than marketing slogans.
My take: what pilots and planners gain
Extra fuel is not just about flashy range figures; it is about operational options. Options to hold a combat air patrol (CAP) longer. Options to wait for the ideal engagement window. Options to divert safely if conditions change. The increased fuel capacity for Tejas Mk2 delivers those critical choices directly to pilots.
For the Indian Air Force, that flexibility compounds. Fewer tanker sorties free up assets for other missions. Longer on-station time strengthens deterrence. Combined, these Tejas Mk2 fuel upgrades enable the aircraft to deliver more capability per mission, enhancing readiness across the fleet.
Quick reference: capabilities in one view
- The Medium Weight Fighter (MWF) now offers extended range capabilities for longer patrols and deeper strikes.
- Tejas Mk2 operational range with drop tanks reduces dependence on aerial refuelling.
- Fuel efficiency improvements sustain high operational tempos during surge operations.
- Medium-weight fighter economics remain favourable compared to heavier aircraft.
Further reading on my site
Explore related topics for deeper insight:
- Tejas Mk2 vs Tejas Mk1A: range, sensors, and costs
- Indian Air Force squadron strength and modernisation 2025
- AMCA programme overview and technology pathway
Conclusion: a smarter way to buy reach
In conclusion, the 2025 upgrade package reflects disciplined engineering aimed squarely at operational effectiveness. The new fuel tanks extend endurance without compromising agility, while avionics and propulsion upgrades ensure that every extra minute in the air delivers measurable value.
From my perspective, India’s indigenous fighter jet programme is moving decisively from promise to proven performance. The HAL Tejas Mk2 news of 2025 is not just hype; it marks a genuine operational leap that allows pilots to fly smarter and commanders to plan more boldly.
Strategically, it aligns perfectly with ongoing Indian Air Force fighter jet upgrades, focusing on availability, cost control, and sovereign technology management to ensure long-term capability and independence.