Anurag Kumar
NEW DELHI:The Indian Air Force is investigating the possibility of ordering additional variants of the indigenous light combat aircraft Mk-1A to strengthen its combat capability, officials familiar with the matter said on Thursday. Two years ago, the IAF signed a 48,000 crore contract for 83 of these fighter jets.
A proposal to place an additional order for 90 to 100 LCA Mk-1 fighter aircraft is in the works, according to officials who requested anonymity. If the edict materialises, it will give the Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) campaign a significant boost.
The February 2021 contract for 83 Mk-1A aircraft brought the total number of LCA variants ordered to 123. The initial operational clearance (IOC) and the more advanced final operational clearance (FOC) configurations are included in the IAF’s order for 40 LCA Mk-1s. The LCA Mk-1A will feature a plethora of additional enhancements over its predecessors, making it the most sophisticated LCA variant to date.
Tuesday, IAF chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari evaluated the LCA programme prior to the delivery of the Mk-1A variant in early 2019. During the review, he referred to the LCA as the flagship of the IAF’s endeavours to indigenize its aircraft fleet.
The first Mk-1A aircraft will be delivered in February 2024, with the remainder joining the IAF’s combat fleet by the end of the decade. It is anticipated that the LCA Mk-1A aircraft will be deployed to forward bases.
The Mk-1A will be equipped with digital radar warning receivers, external self-protection jammer modules, a superior radar, advanced beyond-visual-range (BVR) missiles, and vastly enhanced maintenance. The indigenous content of the fighter is anticipated to exceed 60%, compared to 50% for extant variants.
The remaining eight twin-seater trainers will be delivered to the air force in the future months.
The IAF raised its first LCA squadron with two aircraft in July 2016, despite the project being approved in 1983 as a replacement for the MiG-21 fleet of Soviet origin.
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Last year, the government approved the development of the LCA Mk-2, the next-generation variant of the aircraft, and allocated 10,000 crore for the project. The Mk-2 fighter will be the most sophisticated indigenously designed and developed LCA variant. It will be outfitted with a more potent GE-414 engine, enhanced radar, and improved avionics and electronics, and will be able to carry a greater weapon load. The IAF could order more than one hundred LCA-Mk-2 aircraft, according to officials.
