How true is that the HAL/ADA wants to go with the regular route of Limited service Production aircraft instead of directly going to FOC?
Tejas Mk2 LS aircraft to be made, 24 Tejas Mk2 to be made every year
Tejas Mk2 Medium Weight Fighter: News & Discussion - 23 February 2019
Re: Tejas Mk2 Medium Weight Fighter: News & Discussion - 23 February 2019

3D render of Tejas Mk2 by Kuntal Biswas, @kuntal__biswas, Twitter
Re: Tejas Mk2 Medium Weight Fighter: News & Discussion - 23 February 2019
You will need the LSPs for testing, certification, and updates.
Re: Tejas Mk2 Medium Weight Fighter: News & Discussion - 23 February 2019
Not necessarily. The plan was to build 5 Tejas Mk2 prototypes. All of which would be built to the final serial production standard.
The Tejas LCA program was very different given the level of technological readiness that ADA, HAL, DRDO labs had at that time. Which is why the TD was needed to prove some critical technologies, followed by PVs. However, as the program progressed, the scope of testing required was understood and it could simply not be met by just the PV series since the TDs were essentially outdated, with older gen F-404-F2J3 engines that lacked FADEC for e.g.
Tejas Mk2 prototypes will see all avionics, radar, EW suite, engine, etc. at a very similar spec to what is envisioned for the serial production variants. There may be changes here or there as testing progresses but envelope expansion, testing various systems, etc. will be conducted on those 5 Tejas Mk2 prototypes. Expect at least 3000-4000 hours of testing to prove out the various systems. All of which could be handled by the 5 prototypes.
Re: Tejas Mk2 Medium Weight Fighter: News & Discussion - 23 February 2019
https://x.com/Kunal_Biswas707/status/20 ... 1797944563
Snaps from my personal collection: DRDO's infrared-based MAWS sensor—originally developed for the stealthy AMCA—is now on the Tejas Mk2! Massive design upgrade! First Tejas Mk2 prototype rollout expected by mid-2026.

Snaps from my personal collection: DRDO's infrared-based MAWS sensor—originally developed for the stealthy AMCA—is now on the Tejas Mk2! Massive design upgrade! First Tejas Mk2 prototype rollout expected by mid-2026.
Re: Tejas Mk2 Medium Weight Fighter: News & Discussion - 23 February 2019
Tejas Mk2 will fly in July | Zorawar and Pralay will be Inducted soon
Re: Tejas Mk2 Medium Weight Fighter: News & Discussion - 23 February 2019
Big milestone for DRDO. Tejas Mk-2 to take first flight in June
A major development has emerged after the development of the indigenous fighter aircraft. DRDO has confirmed that the first flight of Tejas Mk-2 will take place in the middle of 2026. It is a great achievement as India makes foray into medium weight fighter systems. Tejas Mk-2 will be powered by the GE F414-INS6 engine, delivering 98 kilo-newtons of thrust — giving the jet greater agility, control and raw power. The Mk-2 will act as a bridge toward India’s future 5th-generation fighter programme, with a more advanced airframe that is expected to roll out in March. It’s also bigger, weighing 17.5 tonnes, compared to 13.5 tonnes of the Mk-1 and is designed to eventually replace the Mirage-2000, Jaguar and MiG-29 fleets. Right now, India has around 30 fighter squadrons, well short of the IAF’s sanctioned strength of 42. Pakistan, by comparison, has 25 squadrons.
A major development has emerged after the development of the indigenous fighter aircraft. DRDO has confirmed that the first flight of Tejas Mk-2 will take place in the middle of 2026. It is a great achievement as India makes foray into medium weight fighter systems. Tejas Mk-2 will be powered by the GE F414-INS6 engine, delivering 98 kilo-newtons of thrust — giving the jet greater agility, control and raw power. The Mk-2 will act as a bridge toward India’s future 5th-generation fighter programme, with a more advanced airframe that is expected to roll out in March. It’s also bigger, weighing 17.5 tonnes, compared to 13.5 tonnes of the Mk-1 and is designed to eventually replace the Mirage-2000, Jaguar and MiG-29 fleets. Right now, India has around 30 fighter squadrons, well short of the IAF’s sanctioned strength of 42. Pakistan, by comparison, has 25 squadrons.