LCA Tejas Mk1A update: PM Modi's top aide reviews progress of the fighter jet programme at HAL

Amid reports that India is scheduled to receive its first LCA Tejas Mk1A fighter jet soon, P. K. Mishra, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reviewed the progress of the combat aircraft programme during his recent visit to the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) facilities in Bengaluru.

 

LCA (Light Combat Aircraft) Tejas Mk 1A is considered a 4.5 generation multirole fighter that incorporates significant upgrades over its predecessor  Mk1 version, including more than 40 improvements to boost its combat capability, survivability, avionics, and maintainability.

 

According to HAL, Mishra reviewed the progress of various indigenous projects along with HAL CMD D.K. Sunil and other board members of the state-run company.

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Mishra began his visit with a tour of the LCA Mk 2 hangar at the Aircraft Research & Design Centre (ARDC)—one of the 10 R&D centres of HAL—, followed by a visit to the LCA Tejas assembly hangar and aerospace division.

 

At the LCA Tejas division, he reviewed the progress of the LCA Tejas Mk 1A programme. Mishra was briefed about the current production progress of the aircraft.

 

HAL showcased  LCA Mk1A fighter jets and two LCA Mk1 trainers during the visit of the dignitaries to the facilities. 

 

"HAL reaffirmed its commitment and preparedness to lead multi-stakeholder programmes in the future to the visiting dignitary. The dignitary was shown a range of indigenous platforms including the Prachand (LCH), LUH, Dhruv (ALH) and HTT 40," the company said in a statement.

Defence