Aircraft
Indian Government Approves More Light Combat Aircraft
The approval covers 83 Light Combat Aircraft Tejas Mk1A aircraft to join the 40 Mk1s already in service or delivery, plus 56 Airbus C295 transports.
Carrying laser-guided bombs, Litening targeting pod and Russian-supplied R-73 air-to-air missiles, this Tejas represents the LCA Mk1 Initial Operational Clearance-II standard, which is now in service with one IAF squadron. (Photo: Aeronautical Development Agency)
Carrying laser-guided bombs, Litening targeting pod and Russian-supplied R-73 air-to-air missiles, this Tejas represents the LCA Mk1 Initial Operational Clearance-II standard, which is now in service with one IAF squadron. (Photo: Aeronautical Development Agency)

India’s Cabinet Committee on Security—chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi—met on January 13 to approve the purchase of the Mk1A version of the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) for the Indian Air Force (IAF). Funding of Rs 45.696 Crore ($6.4 billion) covers the acquisition of 73 LCA Mk1A single-seaters and 10 LCA-T Mk1A two-seaters. An amount of Rs 1,202 Crore was also approved for the design and development of associated infrastructure. Mk1A production is slated to start in 2022.