The Indian Air Force intends to station the first squadron of upgraded fighters of national development and manufacturing, the LCA Mark 1A, in Rajasthan, located close to the border with Pakistan. The aircraft would be stationed at the Nal airbase in the Bikaner region, as stated by the news outlet ANI, which cited sources within the Ministry of Defence.
According to the source cited by the outlet, the first squadron of LCA Mark 1A fighters is expected to be stationed at the Nal airbase in Rajasthan and would be commissioned to replace one of the two MiG-21 squadrons already based there.
According to the reports, the manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited is anticipated to deliver the first LCA Mark 1A aircraft to the Indian Air Force between February and March 2024. By 2025, it is anticipated that the fighter will be produced in 24 units annually.
The LCA Mark 1A is an upgraded variant of the LCA Mark 1 Tejas, created in India. Specifically, this upgrade is outfitted with India’s most recent radars and avionics. The MiG-21 fighters that are being phased out of service by the Indian Air Force are going to be replaced by these aircraft, followed by the Mirage-2000 and the Jaguar. Additionally, the agency reports that 83 LCA Mark 1A aircraft are currently in production.
The IAF will swap out its stockpile of MiG series aircraft for LCA variants.
Its MiG-21, MiG-23, and MiG-27 aircraft would be replaced by the LCA Mark1A aircraft. The force has already phased out the MIG-23 and MiG-27, but two squadrons of the antiquated MiG-21 are still in operation and will shortly be phased out.
The Indian Air Force is anticipated to replace its Jaguar and Mirage-2000 aircraft with indigenous fighters.
According to projections, the Indian Air Force will be primarily composed of 10 squadrons of the LCA Mark 1 and Mark 1A, 12 to 13 squadrons of the LCA Mark-2 and Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft, and thirteen squadrons of the Russian-built Su30MKI at the end of the next ten years.
