IAF to finalize Rs 47,000 crore worth LCA fighter aircraft projects in next few months

New Delhi, May 19: Strengthening the defence sector under the 'Make In India' initiative, Indian Air Force Chief RKS Bhadauria on Monday said that the second squadron of Light Combat Aircraft (LCAs) worth over Rs 8,000 crore would be operationalized by the end of May. He added the force is also expecting to finalize a contract worth around Rs 39,000 crore for 83 LCA Mark 1A Aircraft in the next quarter.

 

 

"The first squadron is already operationalized. We were to operationalize the second squadron in April, we have resurrected the squadron. But due to COVID-19, it got delayed. Some work at HAL had stopped which has restarted. Hopefully, before the end of this month, we will inaugurate the second squadron of LCA. It’s worth just in terms of aircraft and ground assets, will be upwards of Rs 8,000 crore," Bhadauria said here.

 

The chief also threw light on the future operations of LCA. "We are pushing hard for 83 LCA Mark 1A, that’s our immediate focus area. Within the next quarter, we should be able to sign it. Most of the negotiations have been completed and I think the Ministry is going to move it in a month or so." This project would cost them over Rs 39,000 crore.

 

He also stated that IAF is planning to acquire 450 fighter aircraft for deployment on the northern and western frontiers of the country. The list of aircraft planned to be inducted by the Air Force includes 36 Rafales, 114 Multirole Fighter Aircraft, 100 Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), and over 200 variants of the Light Combat Aircraft.

 

Speaking about the weapon Astra MK-1, he said there are making better developments about it. "We are pushing the Astra weapons, the Beyond Visual Range weapons order would be in place within about six months or so. Also, long-range precision-guided ammunition would be in place," he said.

 

The Chief supported the increase in the limit of FDI by the Centre from 49 to 74 percent as it will have a bigger impact on producing indigenous equipments. "This will have a large impact as far as Make in India is concerned. The 74 percent FDI limit should be seen with support measures for MSMEs, the broad directions towards public sector enterprises that have come out in terms of sectoral reforms, and the 74 percent FDI." 

 

"This will have a huge impact on Make in India for indigenous production. The industries should work towards utilizing these reforms which have been put in place," he further said.