The Indian Air Force (IAF) will be equipping (Light Combat Aircraft) LCA Mark 1A fighter jets with indigenously being developed ‘Uttam’ radar and ‘Angad’ electronic warfare (EW) suite, replacing the imported systems installed earlier.
Noteworthy, the IAF has already commissioned 83 LCA Mark 1A fighter jets, with plans to order an additional 97 in the near future.
As of now, the Uttam Active Electronically Scanned Array radar and Angad electronic warfare suite are in the advanced stages of development.
They will be ready for integration with the LCA Mark 1A aircraft soon.
The current replacement plan, starting from the 41st aircraft in the order of 83 LCA Mark 1A fighter jets, includes an Indian-made electronic warfare suite and AESA radar.
Different laboratories of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) are executing the projects.
it is worth mentioning that the ‘Uttam’ radar, currently in the development phase, has presented very promising results and is also being contemplated for use in high-end fighter jets.
To be noted that earlier in 2021, the Indian Defence Ministry had signed a Rs 48,000-crore deal with DPSU Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to supply 83 LCA-Mk1A, a more capable fighter than the current LCA-MK1 in service.
As per the contract, three LCA-MK1A are scheduled to be delivered to the IAF in February 2024 and 16 aircraft per year for subsequent five years.
Reportedly, the deliveries of the larger LCA-MK2 jets were expected to commence from 2032 by which time the deliveries of all LCA-MK1A were expected to be completed with the HAL eventually ramping up production to 24 aircraft per year.
Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/
