LCA Mark 1A: Promoting the Make in India project in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's defense sector, India on Tuesday approved the project to buy a 97 LCA Mark 1A fighter aircraft for Indian Air Force. Defense sources told ANI that the final approval for the purchase of 97 LCA Mark 1A fighter aircraft was given in a high-level meeting. With this approval, the way to make aircraft for Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will be cleared.
This is the second order for LCA Mark 1A. The government has ordered 83 aircraft for about ₹ 48,000 crore a few years ago. LCA Mark 1A will be deployed in the Air Force instead of MiG-21. The government is removing the MiG-21 in a phased manner over the next few weeks.
The indigenous fighter aircraft program is fully supported by the Ministry of Defense and the Air Force. This will promote indigenization. Along with this, small and medium enterprises engaged in defense business will get big business. PM Modi is insisting on the revival of HAL. It has received orders under the government to make all types of indigenous fighter aircraft, helicopters and their engines.
The plan to achieve 97 and LCA Mark 1A fighter aircraft was first announced by the then Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhary on foreign soil in Spain. The LCA Mark 1A aircraft has more advanced avionics and radars than the initial 40 LCA supplies to the Air Force. The indigenous material in the new LCA Mark 1A is going to exceed 65 percent.
The LCA program has been a precursor to the self -reliant India and Make in India initiative. Even more importantly, it is the flag bearer of India's self -sufficiency in the aerospace sector. HAL is also going to get more than 200 LCA Mark 2 and the same number of fifth generation advanced medium fighter aircraft.
