Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) expects to begin delivering the light combat aircraft (LCA Mk-1A) to the Indian Air Force by the end of this year, with the state-run aerospace major working to resolve the final radar and weapons-integration issues, its chairman and managing director Ravi K said in his first interview since taking charge on May 1.
HAL plans to deliver around 10 fighter jets to the IAF in FY 2026-27. “I have got 10 engines from GE Aerospace, and 27 LCA Mk-1A airframes are ready. We can definitely deliver 10 aircraft,” Ravi said. “We should be able to deliver within that timeline, given our capacity to produce 24 Mk-1As every year. The fighters to be built under the 2025 order will feature a higher degree of indigenous content than the 83 aircraft contracted in 2021, he said. “A range of indigenous systems will be there in the 97 Mk-1As, including the Uttam AESA (active electronically scanned array) radar, and Swayam Raksha Kavach (electronic warfare suite). Around 40 imported systems in the first 83 aircraft will be indigenised as we execute the second contract. The more advanced LCA Mk-2 programme is also beginning to take shape. We are targeting the first ground run by March 2027, with the maiden flight expected later that year. HAL is negotiating a deal with GE Aerospace for the joint production of the more powerful F414 engines in the country for the LCA Mk-2 programme. India has a few F414 engines (bought by the Aeronautical Development Agency) for the Mk-2 prototypes, he said.
The contract is yet to be signed. Because of the possible risks a delay in the induction of new fighters could pose to its combat effectiveness, the IAF is concerned about the pace of the LCA Mk-1A programme. We are building airframes so that aircraft can be rolled out as the engines arrive,” Ravi said.
We are not stopping production, irrespective of engine availability. HAL has built the structure and coupling has been completed. “The front, centre and rear fuselage sections have been joined, and the airframe is ready.
The IAF is now moving the case forward,” he said.
