The Indian Air Force has formally declared plans to purchase about 100 more LCA Mark 1A fighter jets produced in India, in a significant announcement meant to support the domestic aerospace industry.
The MiG-21, MiG-23, and MiG-27 aircraft, which make up a sizable portion of the fleet, were replaced by the LCA, which was built from the ground up. It is crucial that we have enough LCA class aircraft in our inventory given the phasing out of all of these aircraft. As a result, in addition to the 83 LCA Mark 1A that we have already agreed to purchase, we are advancing a case for almost 100 additional aircraft, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari told ANI at the Airbus aircraft production site.
The plans have been shared with the Defense Ministry and all other stakeholders in the national security establishment by the Indian Air Force (IAF), which intends to purchase these made-in-India aircraft to replace the MiG-series fighter jets in its fleet.
The Indian Air Force chief convened a review meeting of the indigenous fighter jet program with all parties involved, including Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, last month. At that meeting, it was decided to purchase approximately 100 additional of these aircraft.
The order would result in a very significant re-entry of LCA Tejas fighters into the Indian Air Force. In the following 15 years, the IAF will have 40 LCA, more than 180 LCA Mark-1A, and at least 120 LCA Mark-2 aircraft.
The final LCA Mark1A purchase called for 83 aircraft, with the first one arriving around February 2024. The Tejas aircraft’s improved model is designated LCA Mark 1A.
The original 40 LCAs being sent to the Air Force have less sophisticated avionics and radars than the LCA Mark 1A aircraft. More than 65% of the new LCA Mark 1A will contain indigenous components.
In the project review meeting held last month, the head of the Indian Air Force made it very apparent that the LCA had led the force’s efforts to nationalize its fleet of aircraft.
The nation’s Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat projects were heralded by the program. More importantly, it represents India’s independence in the aerospace industry.
