IAF Chief backs LCA Mk2 for the first time, calls it an interim solution before 5.5th Gen AMCA

Source : IgMp Bureau

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Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari in an interview with the ” Bharat Shakti ” has said that the air force is looking to augment its fighter fleet capabilities with the induction of 83 Tejas Mk1A aircraft, a contract for which was signed last year and plans to induct them from next year and is fully backing the AMCA program but for the interim period will also be procuring LCA Mk2.

This is the first time, IAF Chief has spoken about LCA Mk2 after he assumed office in September 2021. In all his previous media interactions, surprisingly he had omitted mentioning procurement of the LCA Mk2 due to a tug of war that has been going gone within the IAF, where one dominant section is supporting the AMCA program over the LCA Mk2 program.

IAF originally planned to procure 200 LCA Mk2 but now they are cutting down their requirement from the original requirement by half and instead, the focus will be shifted to procuring 7 squadrons of AMCA and 6 squadrons of MRFA to build up declining fighter fleet numbers in the next 15-20 years.

LCA Mk2 rollout has been planned for later this year or it most likely happens in early next year with the first flight being planned by end of 2023 or in early 2024.