Chandigarh: The Tejas Mk2 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), a project that has experienced delays, is now anticipated to take its inaugural flight by 2025, showcasing a blend of indigenous advancements and an American engine. Prabhulla Chandran VK, the director of avionics and weapons systems at the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), the organization overseeing the indigenous fighter’s design, shared this positive outlook.
The prospect of the Tejas Mk2 gained significant momentum following an announcement on June 22 by GE Aerospace of the US. The company revealed a collaboration with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to manufacture fighter jet engines for the Indian Air Force. This announcement coincided with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US.
Previously, attention had been directed towards France and British Rolls Royce as potential engine suppliers for Indian fighter jets. The LCA project received clearance from the Cabinet Committee on Security in September of last year.
“With this new pact, 90% of the components will be indigenous, and the focus will be on state-of-the-art radar systems, weapons, and other capabilities (all made in India, barring the ejection seat and a few sensors). The one-engine fighter will be better than the Rafale,” said Prabhulla Chandran.
The collaboration with approximately 300 public and private institutions is fueling progress on the LCA. “The design is totally different from Tejas Mk1. It is 20% larger than Mk1, has greater capacity, state-of-the-art avionics, and range, as well as higher weapon carrying capacity, which we are yet to announce. This fighter plane will have only one version. We might go in for a trainer plane later,” Prabhulla Chandran said.
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