Prime Minister Narendra Modi flew in a twin-seater trainer LCA aircraft which was delivered to the Indian Air Force by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited last month.
The Indian Air Force is working on a project to develop an indigenous jammer pod for the homegrown LCA Mark 1A fighter aircraft, IAF officials said on Saturday.
"The engines of LCA Mark 2 and the first two squadrons of the indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft would be produced within the country together by American GE and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited as all the clearances have been received from the US," DRDO chief Dr Samir V Kamat told A
In a significant development amid the ongoing push for indigenisation of military weapon systems, the made-in-India Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)-Mark1A would be fitted with the 'Uttam' radar and the 'Angad' electronic warfare suite, replacing the imported systems installed previously.
"Today is a momentous day and a matter of pride for me to accept the first two-seater LCA aircraft. This day will go down in history as a really remarkable one that exemplifies the prowess of the Indian domestic aviation industry," Chaudhari said speaking at the ceremony.
The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will hand over the first Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) twin-seater trainer version aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF) in Bengaluru on Wednesday.
Indian Air Force chief VR Chaudhari on Tuesday announced a mega acquisition of 97 additional LCA Mark 1A aircraft along with the 83 already ordered by it as one of the biggest projects in this list, adding that the purchase would be worth around Rs 1.25 lakh crores.
Amid the efforts to replace its old Russian-origin aircraft, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is all set to replace all MiG-21 squadrons with the LCA Mark 1A by 2025, said Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari on Tuesday.
The plan to buy the indigenous plane were announced in Spain by Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari soon after receiving the first C-295 transport aircraft in Spain in an exclusive interaction with ANI.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) plans to buy these Made in India aircraft to replace the MiG-21 fighter jets in its fleet has been submitted to the Defence Ministry and all other stakeholders in the national security establishment.
The Chief of Air Staff (CAS) Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari reviewed the status of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme in Air Headquarters, an official statement said on Wednesday.