“The Indian Air Force and the public sector HAL have recently reviewed the LCA fighter project and it is now expected to be delivered to the force by July this year,” defence officials told ANI.
HAL successfully conducted the first flight of the indigenous fighter last month. Additional integration trials are underway and are expected to be completed in the coming weeks before the aircraft is delivered to the IAF, the officials added.
The induction of the LCA Mark 1A into the IAF’s fleet marks a significant milestone in achieving self-reliance in the military sector. It is anticipated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi may be invited to commemorate this event.
The LCA Mark 1A project, initiated during Prime Minister Modi’s tenure, has already seen an order worth Rs 48,000 crore for 83 planes. Another order for 97 planes, expected to be worth Rs 65,000 crore, is likely to be placed by the end of this financial year.
“The Defence Ministry has already issued a tender to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), for the purchase of 97 made-in-India LCA Mark 1A fighter jets,” ANI reported.This tender represents the largest order for indigenous military hardware ever placed by the Indian government. HAL has been given a three-month timeframe to respond to the tender.Government officials informed ANI that this program aims to replace the Indian Air Force’s fleet of MiG-21s, MiG-23s, and MiG-27s, which have either been phased out or are scheduled for phase-out soon.
“The indigenous fighter aircraft programme, fully backed by Defence Ministry and Air Headquarters, is set to be a big boost for promoting indigenisation as well as give major business to the small and medium enterprises engaged in defence business across the country,” ANI quoted officials as saying.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been a strong advocate for the revival of HAL, which has secured orders for building all types of indigenous fighter aircraft and helicopters, along with the engines for them, under his government.
“The Prime Minister also undertook a sortie in the trainer variant of the indigenous fighter which was the first ever sortie by the Prime Minister of India in any combat aircraft,” ANI reported.
Indian Air Force Chief VR Chaudhari, speaking to ANI on foreign soil in Spain, first announced the plan to acquire 97 more LCA Mark 1A fighter jets, highlighting the ambitious plans to boost indigenous fighter aircraft orders.
(With inputs from ANI)
