Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL’s) Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A made a spectacular appearance at Aero India 2024. Four Mk1A jets flew in the 'finger four' formation, named 'Yodha Formation, showcasing their agility and combat readiness. 

Impressing the on-lookers with its advanced manoeuvrability and precision, the Mk1A is also called the Alpha and is a significantly upgraded variant, set to join the Indian Air Force (IAF) in the coming months.

Let us look at the updates in LCA Mk1A

  • Advanced Sensor Suite for superior situational awareness
  • Upgraded Mission & Digital Flight Control System
  • Enhanced Weaponry, including Astra Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missiles
  • Net-Centric Warfare Capabilities
  • Precision-Guided Weapons for enhanced strike capabilities

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has placed an order for 83 Mk1A aircraft, reinforcing its commitment to indigenous fighter jet production. The aircraft is set to receive the Military Type Certification (MTC) which will pave the way for their formal induction into service.

Speaking of inducting new aircraft in IAF fleet, Secretary of Defence Production Sanjeev Kumar clarified that deliveries of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's (HAL) Nasik plant are scheduled to begin by March 2025.

He further stated that by 2026, production is expected to be streamlined, ensuring the supply of 16-24 aircraft per year, marking a crucial step in strengthening India's air combat capabilities. Kumar further added that the production line, including the critical supply of General Electric (GE) engines has now been stabilised.

As of now, the Ministry of Defence is working closely with its US counterparts to expedite deliveries of these engines, ensuring the smooth execution of the LCA Tejas Mk1A program.

Addressing the long-standing issue of engine procurement, Kumar confirmed that India is working closely with its American partner to ensure that the supply of engines is streamlined by 2025-26.

India's defence production sector has seen remarkable growth with domestic defence production crossing INR 1.27 lakh crore and is expected to surpass INR 1.60 lakh crore by 2025-26, as per official MoD figures. Defence exports have also reached a record INR 21,000 crore, with projections to exceed INR 30,000 crore in the next two years.