India's plans to strengthen its future fighter fleet are moving ahead on multiple fronts, including the induction of the delayed LCA Tejas Mk1A.
Giving an update on the fighter programmes on Tuesday, Vice Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit said the engine-related hurdle that initially affected the LCA Mk-1A programme has eased, as new engines have started coming in.
However, two or three technical aspects still need to be proven before the aircraft can be inducted into the IAF.
"Initially, the delay was on the engine side. We could not get enough engines. Now we have received the engines and have installed them on the aircraft. We are currently conducting proper and thorough testing before the aircraft is officially inducted," Dixit said.
"There are only two or three technical points left to be proven, and I think within a month or two, we should be able to overcome those technical issues. Thereafter, the road will be clear for the aircraft to be inducted," he added.
Dixit did not specify how many aircraft have received engines or give a timeline for their delivery.
The update comes against the backdrop of delays in the delivery schedule of the LCA Mk-1A, an issue that had earlier been publicly raised by Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh.
Dixit said the IAF was "eagerly awaiting the induction of the LCA Mark 1A".
Beyond the LCA Mk-1A, the IAF is also backing India's effort to develop its own fifth-generation fighter aircraft.
Responding to a question about fifth- and sixth-generation fighters, Dixit highlighted the AMCA programme and the IAF's involvement in its development.
"As regards the 5th generation, 6th generation question, there are two aspects to it. One is that we are developing our own 5th generation aircraft, AMCA, and the Indian Air Force has put all its weight and all its technical capability, technical know-how behind it," he said.
