New Delhi [India], September 25 (ANI): The Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on Thursday for the procurement of 97 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A — including 68 fighters and 29 twin-seaters — along with associated equipment for the Indian Air Force, at a cost of over Rs. 62,370 crore (excluding taxes). Deliveries are expected to commence in 2027-28 and be completed over six years, according to a release from the Ministry of Defence.
The aircraft will have an indigenous content of over 64 per cent, with 67 additional items incorporated beyond the earlier LCA Mk1A contract signed in January 2021. Advanced indigenously developed systems such as the UTTAM Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar, Swayam Raksha Kavach, and control surface actuators will be integrated, further strengthening the Government’s Aatmanirbharta initiatives.
The project is supported by a robust vendor base of nearly 105 Indian companies directly engaged in manufacturing detailed components. Production is expected to generate close to 11,750 direct and indirect jobs per year over the six-year period, significantly boosting the domestic aerospace ecosystem, the release stated.
The acquisition, under the ‘Buy (India-IDDM)’ category of the Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020, aligns with the Government’s thrust on indigenisation. The LCA Mk1A is the most advanced variant of the indigenously designed and manufactured fighter aircraft and will serve as a potent platform to meet the operational requirements of the Indian Air Force, the release added. (ANI)
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