A day before the retirement of the MiG-21 fighter jet, the Ministry of Defense has tied up for the purchase of 97 Light Combat Aircraft (Elly) Mark-1A on Thursday (September 25, 2025) with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). After the agreement, HAL CMD (Chairman cum Managing Director) DK Sunil had a special conversation with ABP News and told that in the next 7-8 years all 180 LCA fighter jets will be ready.
According to CMD, three aviation engines (F-404) have been received from America for LCA Mark-1A. The first flight of Mark-1A version equipped with these engines is going to take place next month. After this, these three fighter aircraft will be handed over to the Air Force. The government has chosen LCA Tejas Fighter Jet for the replacement of MiG-21. The total cost of the agreement on Thursday is more than Rs 62,370 crore, which does not include tax.
Engine supply delayed from America
The 97 Mark-1A fighter jet has 68 single seater fighter aircraft and 29 two-in seater training aircraft. These aircraft will have about 64 percent indigenous material. In the year 2023 too, the Ministry of Defense signed an 83 Mark-1A version with HAL. Its price was around 48 thousand crores. According to DK Sunil, the new 97 LCA, 83 consignment will be slightly advanced due to radar and electronic warfare suit. However, the supply of engine from America has been delayed significantly. In such a situation, the LCA project is also running two years behind.
A total of three production line starts for the construction of LCA
According to DK Sunil, the American company GE has assured that now the supply of aviation engine will be smoothly. A total of 12 aviation engine HALs will be found in this financial year (2025-26). Along with this, HAL has started a total of three production lines for the construction of LCA to supply the Air Force at the right time (02 in Bangalore and 01 Nashik).
HAL also deeply ties with MiG-21
HAL CMD said that even though LCA is replacing MiG-21, MiG is extremely advanced, as the MiG-21 design and technology was of the 60s, while LCA is a modern fighter jet. CMD said that HAL has also been deeply associated with MiG-21, as 600 out of a total of 800 MiG-21 fighter jets to be operated by the Air Force, HAL had made a license from Russia in India.
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