India has made a deal for Rafale aircraft from France, but work is also ongoing on a homegrown fighter aircraft. According to defense officials, the LCA Mark 2 (Light Combat Aircraft Mark 2) will start flying by March 2026. Large-scale production of these aircraft is expected to begin by 2029. Additionally, production of the fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) might start by 2035. Here’s what you need to know about the advanced LCA Mark 2 aircraft:
Recent Developments
DRDO chief Dr. Samir V. Kamat and Air Force Deputy Chief Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit recently held an important meeting about the LCA Mark 2. Other people involved in the program also attended. Initially, it was expected that the first prototype of the LCA Mark 2 would be ready by 2025. However, it might now take an additional year due to delays in fund approval.
Engine and Materials
All LCA aircraft use American GE engines. The LCA Mark 1 and 1A have GE-404 engines, while the LCA Mark 2 will use GE-414 engines. Finalizing the deal for this engine took some time. Although the engine will be made by an American company, the materials used in it will be Indian.
Replacement Plans
The government plans to replace older aircraft like Mirage 2000, Jaguar, and MiG-29 with the LCA Mark 2. Over the next 10-15 years, more than 250 LCA Mark 2 aircraft are expected to be added to the service. The Indian Air Force has also ordered 180 LCA Mark 1A planes, with production likely to be completed by 2032.
Features of LCA Mark 2
The LCA Mark 2 will be a fighter jet capable of carrying up to two people. It can carry weapons weighing up to 6,500 kilograms, with a maximum takeoff load of 17,500 kilograms. The aircraft is expected to fly at speeds of 2,385 kilometers per hour and reach altitudes of over 56,000 feet. It will be equipped to carry missiles and bombs, and may also be able to use some variants of the BrahMos missile, which can strike from air to ground.
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