New Delhi: The Indian government has confirmed plans to streamline the production line for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1 this year, aiming to bolster the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) operational readiness.
During a curtain-raiser event for the 15th edition of Aero India in Bengaluru, Defence Production Secretary Sanjeev Kumar stated, “We hope that by 2025-26, the production line for the LCA will be stabilised. Once stabilised, we will have the capacity to deliver 16 to 24 LCA Mk1 aircraft annually. We are also working with our American partner GE, which supplies the GE 404 engines, to ensure their supply chain is streamlined from 2025-26 onwards.”
The Indian Air Force has repeatedly expressed concerns over delays in LCA Mk1 deliveries. Reports indicate that Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has encountered delays in receiving engines from U.S.-based General Electric (GE). In August 2021, HAL signed a ₹5,375 crore contract with GE for the procurement of 99 GE 404 engines, with deliveries expected to commence by the end of 2023.
Addressing questions about the IAF’s declining fighter fleet strength and the status of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project, Sanjeev Kumar affirmed, “We are committed to the AMCA project, and work is progressing in that direction. The prototype you will see is a one-to-one model, representing exactly what the final version will be.”
He further emphasized, “Simultaneously, we are considering all options to ensure our armed forces remain ready and prepared. Appropriate actions will be taken to maintain the readiness of our armed forces.”
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, in his opening remarks, underscored India’s commitment to self-reliance in defence. “Aero India 2025 will advance our vision of a strong, capable, secure, and self-reliant India,” he stated.
He highlighted the scale of the upcoming event, noting that over 900 exhibitors from 90 countries are expected to participate, making it the largest edition of Aero India. Additionally, the event will witness the presence of 30 Defence Ministers and over 100 Chief Executive Officers from global aerospace and defence industries.
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On defence manufacturing, Rajnath Singh remarked, “I am delighted to share that our domestic defence production has surpassed a record ₹1.27 lakh crore. By the end of 2025-26, we expect this figure to exceed ₹1.60 lakh crore.”
He further noted, “Our defence exports have also crossed a record ₹21,000 crore, and by the end of 2025-26, we anticipate this figure will surpass ₹30,000 crore.”
Aero India, the biennial air show and aviation exhibition, will officially commence on Monday at Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru.
