Indian Air Force chief: Plans to buy 100 more indigenous LCA Tejas Mark 1A fighter jets

The Indian Air Force in a recent announcement, officially declared plans to buy around 100 more made-in-India LCA Mark 1A fighter jets, giving a boost to the indigenous aerospace sector.

Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari announced this plan in Spain in an exclusive interaction with sources upon receiving the first C-295 transport aircraft in Spain.

As per the plans of the Indian Air Force (IAF), these aircraft made-in-India will replace the MiG-series fighter jets in its fleet.

The plans have been submitted to the Defence Ministry and all other stakeholders in the national security establishment.

The Indian Air Force chief held a review meeting last month with all involved parties, including Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, regarding the indigenous fighter jet program. At that time, the decision to purchase approximately 100 additional of these aircraft was made.

The order would mean that the LCA Tejas fighters would re-up the Indian Air Force in veritably large figures.

The IAF will have 40 LCA, over 180 LCA Mark- 1A and at least 120 LCA Mark- 2 aeroplanes in the coming 15 times.

The last order for LCA Mark1A was for 83 aircraft and the first aeroplane would be delivered around February 2024. LCA Mark 1A is the advanced interpretation of Tejas aircraft. 

The LCA Mark 1A aeroplane has further advanced avionics and radars than the original 40 LCAs being supplied to the Air Force.