Doubts shroud delivery of first LCA Mk-1A jet to IAF

A question mark hangs over the delivery of the first light combat aircraft Mk-1A jet to the Indian Air Force by state-run plane maker Hindustan Aeronautics Limited by the approaching deadline of March 31 as it is yet to make its maiden flight and some key certifications are still not done, officials aware of the matter said on Sunday. His sortie in an LCA Mk-1 fighter jet was seen as a significant endorsement of the LCA programme, and turned the spotlight on the locally produced fighter jet that IAF is looking at inducting in big numbers and India is The newer variants, Mk-1A and Mk-2, will come with significantly improved features and technologies over the current Mk-1 aircraft. The world’s leading aircraft engine maker GE Aerospace and HAL signed a memorandum of understanding in Washington in June 2023 to produce F-414 engines in the country for LCA Mk-2, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first state visit to the US. The production of the engines in India will result in the new fighter jet having an indigenous content of around 75% compared to 55%-60% in LCA Mk-1A and 50% in the existing Mk-1 variant.