LCA set to emerge as cornerstone of IAF’s combat power

The light combat aircraft is set to emerge as the cornerstone of the Indian Air Force’s combat power in the coming decade and beyond, with the air force counting on the indigenous fighter jet to shore up its capabilities at a time it is grappling with a disturbing decline in the number of its fighter squadrons, officials tracking the IAF’s modernisation said on Wednesday. The newer variants of LCA --- Mk-1A and Mk-2 --- will come with significantly improved features and technologies over the Mk-1 aircraft that have already been inducted by IAF. In a recent review of the LCA programme, Chaudhari described the fighter aircraft as the flag-bearer of the IAF’s efforts towards the indigenisation of its combat fleet. “The LCA provides a robust base for developing critical future fighter programmes, including the advanced medium combat aircraft and unmanned combat aerial vehicles,” Bhadauria, who served as the IAF chief during 2019-2021, added.. What is the status of LCA orders The IAF has so far ordered 123 LCAs, 40 Mk-1s and 83 Mk-1As, to boost its combat potential.