In a major step toward India’s self-reliance initiative, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will deliver its first Light Combat Aircraft, the Tejas Mk-1A, in March 2024.
HAL CMD R Madhavan said, “We have got an order last year during the Aero India show. After that we started working on that. We are supposed to deliver the first one in T0+36, inclusive of design. The design activity is going on and by next year middle we plan to fly first prototype of this configuration. We are sure that we can finish the testing before the deadline.”
The Center had placed a major order of 83 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk-1A for the Indian Air Force at an estimated cost of Rs 47000 crores. AESA radar, external jammer pods for self-protection, advanced beyond-visual-range (BVR) missiles, and digital radar warning receivers will be included with the fighter aircraft.
