Stories
IAF Vice Chief: LCA Mk-1A Issues to be Resolved in 2 Months, Boosting Squadron Strength
- •Indian Air Force (IAF) vice chief Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit stated that technical issues delaying the delivery of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk-1A are expected to be resolved within two months.
- •The resolution of these two or three remaining technical issues, primarily involving radar and integration work, will clear the way for the fighter's induction into the IAF.
- •HAL chairman Ravi K previously indicated that deliveries of the LCA Mk-1A to the IAF would commence by the end of this year after resolving final radar and weapons-integration issues.
- •The IAF has placed two orders for a total of 180 LCA Mk-1A fighter jets, valued at Rs 1.1 lakh crore, with deliveries under the first contract expected to begin in December.
- •The initial March 2024 delivery deadline was missed due to factors including delays in F404-IN20 engine supply from GE Aerospace and securing key certifications.
Key Questions Answered
Technical issues delaying the delivery of India's latest light combat aircraft, the LCA Mk-1A, are expected to be resolved within the next two months, according to IAF vice chief Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit. Only two or three technical points regarding the radar and integration work remain to be proven before the aircraft can enter service.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited is scheduled to begin delivering the LCA Mk-1A fighter jets to the Indian Air Force by the end of this year after resolving final radar and weapons-integration issues.
The Indian Air Force has placed two distinct orders for a combined 180 LCA Mk-1A fighter jets worth a total of Rs 1.1 lakh crore. The initial contract for 83 aircraft was signed in February 2021, followed by a subsequent order for 97 fighters in September 2025.
