Samir Kamat, chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), said that negotiations for an engine deal are in progress to allow for co-development with manufacturers. He added that this will support domestic production of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA).
The chief of DRDO made his remarks shortly after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, announced that India would soon build indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) engines.
The DRDO Chairman stated, “We have shown the Tapas drones (at the ongoing Bengaluru air show), which soared to a height of 15,000 feet,” in an exclusive interview with a new agency. We have also demonstrated our UAV Archer, which has weaponization capability. Additionally, we have created a number of new missiles, such as the MPATGM, VSHORADS, and Akash NG.
“The LCA Mark2 should be ready for induction by 2028. The first flight of AMCA Phase 1 could take seven years, and induction could take ten years. He said the engines would be manufactured indigenously once the clearance comes through from the US government.
“The matter was discussed during our NSA’s (Ajit Doval’s) recent US visit. The US government said it was open to it (indigenous manufacture of engines). “Hopefully, in the next 3-6 months, an announcement of the transfer of technology will happen, and these engines will be made in the country itself,” he said.
