India has cleared the purchase of 97 LCA Mark 1A fighter jets for the Indian Air Force (IAF), giving a major boost to the Make in India defence initiative. Defence sources told ANI that the approval came during a high-level meeting on Tuesday.
This will be the second order for the LCA Mark 1A aircraft. The government had previously placed an order for 83 jets worth around Rs 48,000 crore.
Boost for Indigenous Defence Production
The project will allow Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to produce the new aircraft. Officials say it will help replace the IAF’s ageing fleet of MiG-21 jets, which the government is phasing out in the coming weeks.
The programme also supports small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the defence sector across India. “This is a big boost for promoting indigenisation,” defence sources said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been actively promoting HAL and other domestic defence manufacturers. HAL has received orders to build fighter aircraft, helicopters, and engines under the Prime Minister’s government.
Prime Minister Flies Indigenous Fighter
The Prime Minister had previously taken a sortie in the trainer variant of the indigenous fighter. It was the first-ever flight by an Indian Prime Minister in a combat aircraft.
The plan for 97 more LCA Mark 1A jets was first announced by then Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari during a visit to Spain. He shared details of the programme aimed at increasing orders for indigenous fighter aircraft.
Advanced Features in LCA Mark 1A
The new LCA Mark 1A jets will have improved avionics and radar systems compared to the initial 40 LCAs supplied to the IAF. Officials said that the indigenous content in the new jets will exceed 65 per cent.
“This programme has been the harbinger of the Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives of the nation. More importantly, it is a flag bearer of India’s self-reliance in the aerospace sector,” defence sources said.
Future Plans for HAL
HAL is also expected to receive orders for over 200 LCA Mark 2 fighters. The company may also build a similar number of fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft in the future.
Officials said the LCA Mark 1A programme will strengthen India’s aerospace industry and reduce dependence on foreign aircraft. It will also generate employment and business opportunities for domestic manufacturers in the defence sector.
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