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 ANI upon receiving the first C-295 transport aircraft in Spain. Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari told ANI at the Airbus aircraft manufacturing facility that "The LCA was developed from the ground up for replacement of the large MiG series fleet including the MiG-21, MiG 23 and MiG-27 aircraft.
With the phasing out of all these aircraft, it is essential that we have adequate numbers of the LCA class aircraft in our inventory. So, apart from the 83 LCA Mark 1A that we have already contracted for, we are moving a case for around 100 more aircraft" Also Read: Exercise BrightStar-23 enters last phase, more complex joint missions to follow 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.
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