Indian Air Force plans major fleet expansion with 100 more LCA Mark 1A Fighter Jets.

Air Marshal VR Chaudhari, chief of the Indian Air Force (IAF), recently announced plans to acquire around 100 more Mark 1A Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). The announcement was made during his visit to Spain, where he received the first C-295 transport aircraft.

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The Indian Air Force has submitted a formal proposal to the Ministry of Defense to acquire additional LCA Mark 1A fighter jets.  (Picture source: Wikimedia)

The Indian Air Force has submitted a formal proposal to the Ministry of Defense to acquire additional LCA Mark 1A fighter jets. The move is part of a broader strategy to replace older MiG series fighter jets in service since 1963. If approved, the acquisition would result in a notable expansion of the IAF's LCA Tejas fleet. Over the next 15 years, the Indian Air Force is expected to have over 180 LCA Mark-1A, and at least 120 LCA Mark-2 in its inventory.

The LCA Mark 1A is an advanced version of the original Tejas Mark 1 and is manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). It is a single-engine, delta-wing, multi-role light combat aircraft. The aircraft is equipped with a digital Fly-by-Wire (FBW) flight control system and a multi-mode pulse-Doppler radar. It also has an afterburner engine. The native content of the device should be above 50%, reaching 60% at the end of the program.

The new LCA Mark 1A is intended to replace the older MiG-21 fighter jets, which have been a mainstay of the Indian Air Force for decades. The MiG-21s are nearing the end of their operational life, and the LCA program aims to fill this gap. The LCA Mark 1A offers advanced radar and sensor capabilities, increased maneuverability through its FBW digital flight control system, and the ability to perform diverse roles, including air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. Additionally, the higher content of indigenous components in the LCA Mark 1A aligns with India's goals for self-sufficiency in aerospace technology.

The LCA Mark 1A has an indigenous component of over 65%. The program aligns with India's Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives, which aim to promote self-reliance in various sectors, including aerospace technology and manufacturing.