Hummingbird News Desk
NEW DELHI, 18 NOV: In a significant stride towards bolstering India’s defense sector, the Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) announced on Saturday that the engines for the LCA Mark 2 and the initial two squadrons of the indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) would be domestically produced. DRDO Chief Dr. Samir V Kamat revealed that the engines would be jointly manufactured by American company General Electric (GE) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) within India, following the receipt of all necessary clearances from the United States.

The Cabinet Committee on Security had earlier granted approval for the development of the LCA Mark 2 fighter aircraft on August 30. This new aircraft is poised to replace the Mirage 2000, Jaguar, and MiG-29 combat aircraft currently in service with the Indian Air Force (IAF).
Aeronautical Development Agency Chief Girish Deodhare shared insights into the project, stating, “The LCA Mark 2 fighter aircraft development project has been cleared by the government. This would pave the way for designers to develop an advanced 17.5-tonne single-engine aircraft. Development of the new aircraft is to be completed by 2027.”
The government’s clearance includes the development of prototypes, with the first expected to roll out within a year. The comprehensive project, encompassing extensive flying trials and related work, is scheduled for completion by 2027.
DRDO officials anticipate that the LCA Mark 2 will share avionics and capabilities comparable to the Rafale class aircraft, while being lighter in weight. The government has further stipulated that the engines for the aircraft must be “Made in India” after the initial development phase.
The DRDO plans to utilize the advanced GE-414 engine for the LCA Mark 2, representing an upgrade from the GE-404 engines powering the existing LCAs in service. Currently, 30 LCAs are operational in the IAF, with an additional 83 LCA Mark 1As set to be inducted over the next couple of years.
Simultaneously, the AMCA aircraft development proposal is pending government approval, with a strong emphasis on indigenization. The AMCA is expected to contribute significantly to India’s self-reliance in defense manufacturing, aligning with the country’s broader efforts to enhance its indigenous capabilities.
Image Courtesy: INet
Tags: #DRDO #HAL #AMCA #JetEngenes #India