LCA Mark 1A, LCA Mark 2, MRFA & AMCA : The upcoming fighter jets of Indian Air Force

Indian Air Force squadron strength
IAF can’t maintain 24 X 7 combat air patrol :

The squadron strength of 42 is the magic number that Indian Air Force wants to achieve for handling two front war situation and maintain higher degree of operational readiness as well as air surveillance. In another one decade as well, IAF will not be able to achieve this number. IAF will have to rely more on the quality & capabilities of aircraft rather than quantity.

Indian Air Force has adopted a doctrine of ‘no war no peace’ (NWNP) which demands more intensive air patrolling. IAF at its present state and in 10 years will remain undersized. IAF cannot maintain 24X7 combat air patrol or air defense watch given the huge geographical area & less squadron numbers.

There has been constant strive to increase the squadron strength via indigenous and foreign fighter jets, however Indian needs to fasten its acquisition process as its both adversaries are acquiring new capabilities at much faster pace.

In this article, we will discuss about all the acquisition program of IAF and what’s there current status.

Light Combat Aircraft Tejas Mark-1

Indian Air force is inducting 123 LCA Tejas in IOC, FOC & Mark1A configuration. From the initial orders of 40 LCA Tejas Mark-1, 32 has already been delivered to IAF and HAL has began the production of LCA trainer which are expected to complete the delivery by the end of FY 2023 which will mark the completion of LCA Mark1 order.

Light Combat Aircraft Tejas Mark-1A

The major order for LCA platform was inked in Feb 2021 for 83 Tejas Mark-1A. As per the contractual agreement, 3 fighter jet will be delivered in the year 2024 and remaining 80 fighters will be delivered at a rate of 16 fighter jets per year, completing its delivery by FY 2029.

In February 2023, it was also reported that the Indian Air Force may get additional 50 LCA Tejas Mark1A as a part of Mission 470.

On 7th April 2023, HAL has inaugurated the 3rd assembly complex for LCA Tejas at Nasik. The new production line will further boost the production rate of LCA Tejas from 16 to more than 24 aircrafts per year.

When the orders of additional 50 LCA Tejas Mark1A is given, HAL will be able to make use of its 3rd production line to deliver more LCA fighters to Indian Air Force.

40 LCA Mark-1, 83 LCA Mark 1A and additional order of 50 LCA Mark 1A will add 173 indigenous aircrafts.

Light Combat Aircraft Mark-2

The next big indigenous platform for IAF is going to be LCA Mark-2. On September 2022, the CCS has approved Rs 9000 crore for the development, testing and certification of LCA Mark-2.

The fighter jet is expected to roll out in 2024 after completion of air intake test certification in France by June 2023. Since the air intake of Mark II is similar to Mark I, the DRDO is confident about bagging the certification and rolling out the first prototype by 2024. The first flight may take one year after the rollout of the prototype.

Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA)

The development of Tejas Mark2 and the technologies developed for the fighter will pave the way for 5th generation fighter jet development program AMCA. The program has completed its CDR and DRDO has approached the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for approval of twin-engine advanced medium combat aircraft (AMCA).

During the Defense Expo 2022, the AMCA’s Project Director AK Ghosh had said that the first prototype of the AMCA is expected to roll out in three years, and the first flight could take another year and a half. These timelines are subject to the funding approval.

Indian Air Force has committed for 7 squadrons of AMCA comprising of 2 squadrons of Mark1 and 5 squadrons of Mark2.

Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA)

The only foreign fighter to be inducted by Indian Air force in near future is going to be via MRFA program. On 4th Oct 2022, the CAS had told media that the review of RFI response has been complete and IAF has finalized the ASQR (Air Staff Qualitative Requirements) has been finalized.

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