1 year anniversary of LCA Mark 1A first flight | busting the delay news

Delay in LCA Mark 1A ?

During the Analyst meet of 17th May 2023, HAL has revealed several information regarding its on-going project. The most important one is LCA Tejas Mark 1A regarding which we are going to discuss in this video as there were lot of news recently being published stating that the delivery of LCA Tejas Mark 1A will be delayed.

To begin with we will talk about the first flight of LCA Tejas Mark 1A. HAL has officially reported that LCA Tejas Mark 1A took its first flight on 20th May 2022 – which is exactly an year ago. Answering to the question related to the delay of LCA Tejas Mark1A which was in news quite recently in media, the HAL Chairman has said that:

As per contracted schedule the delivery of LCA Mark 1A should commence from February 2024 onwards. In current financial year HAL is supposed to delivery 1 fighter and 2 trainers. HAL is on track, and it involves

HAL is expected to deliver 3 LCA Mark 1A in the current financial year and from 16 aircrafts from 2024-25 onwards. HAL has inaugurated the 3 LCA division in NASIK. With 2 LCA division at Bengaluru, HAL can deliver 16 aircraft per year, however with the help of 3rd LCA division HAL will be able to deliver 83 LCA Tejas a year before the schedule. Even if HAL fall short of 1 or 2 aircraft in the current financial year, it will be able to make it up in the subsequent year.

So, the main hurdle before HAL is the certification of new components as we all know that each and every component of an aircraft must be certified. This may delay the initial delivery which is planned in FY 23 but once they are certified, HAL will be able to deliver at aircrafts at a rate of more than 16 aircrafts per year.

The LCA Mark 1A is going to be critical for Indian Air Force which is losing its fighter jet squadrons at faster pace but not able to replenish them.

Declining Strength of Indian Air Force

As of 2023, IAF is has 31 operational fighter jet squadrons against the sanctioned strength of 42. Air Force operates 12 squadrons of SU-30 MKI, 6 squadrons of Jaguars, 3 Squadrons of Mig-21, 3 Squadrons of Mirage 2000, 3 squadrons of Mig-29 UPG, 2 Squadrons of LCA Tejas Mark 1A and 2 squadrons of Rafale.

Phasing out of Mig-21 & Jaguar fighter jets

The Indian air force squadrons is set to dwindle further as the remaining three MIG-21 squadrons are slated to phase out by 2025. This will be followed by the phasing out of six squadrons of the aging Jaguar fighter fleets starting from 2027-28 and continuing till 2035. With phasing out of Jags and Mig-21, Indian Air Force will be loosing 9 Squadrons by 2035.

Phasing out of Mig-29 UPG & Mirage 2000

The Mig-29s were inducted into the IAF in 1986. The first life extension programme of the fighter jet was undertaken in the mid-2000s. The then Defence Minister, AK Antony had stated in Parliament that the MiG-29s’ technical life was being extended from 25 years to 40 years to meet the IAF’s operational requirements.

However the Mig-29 fleet will complete its 40 years in next couple of years and the enhanced technical life of the MiG-29 aircraft will begin expiring from 2025 onwards.

The 3 squadron of Mig-29 will also begin their phasing out from 2029 and will be completely phased out by 2035. The Indian Air Force is planning to undertake a second life extension programme on its fleet of MiG-29 frontline fighter jets, which will enhance their service span from 40 years to 50 years.

By 2035, Indian Air Force will phase out 6 squadrons of fighter jets consisting of 3 Mirage 2000 and 3 MiG-29 squadrons.

Addition of new fighter jet squadrons

By 2035, IAF would have phased out 15 squadrons of fighter jets. By 2029, IAF will be adding just 4 more squadrons of LCA Tejas Mark 1A. The production of LCA Mark 2 is also expected to commence from 2030 in full swing which will be adding to the fighter jet squadron strength. Around the same time we would also see the fighter jets added to IAF inventory as a part of MRFA program. AMCA is expected to enter into production after 2032.

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