Government issues tender to purchase of 97 LCA Mark-1A fighter planes

Ministry of Defence, Government of India has issued a tender for procurement of 97 indigenously manufactured LCA Mark – 1A fighter aircraft from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Their cost is likely to be more than Rs 65 thousand crore.

Largest order for indigenous military equipment:

• This will be the largest ever order for indigenous military equipment placed by the Government of India.

Modern version of Tejas aircraft:

• The LCA Mark-1A is an upgraded version of the Tejas aircraft, incorporating modernized features and capabilities. The Defence Ministry has recently issued this tender to HAL. It has been given three months to respond to this.

LCA Mark-1A will replace MiG aircraft:

• According to an official information, government officials said that these aircraft will replace MiG-21, MiG-23 and MiG-27 aircraft in the Air Force. MIG aircraft have either been phased out of the Air Force or are to be phased out in the future.
• This indigenous fighter aircraft programme with the full support of the Defence Ministry and the Air Force Headquarters will give a boost to indigenization. Besides, this will also increase the business of small and medium companies related to defence business in the country.

Emphasis on revival of HAL:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi is emphasising the revival of HAL. Under his government, HAL has placed orders for manufacturing all types of indigenous fighter planes and helicopters as well as engines for them.
• The PM also flew in the Tanner variant of the indigenous fighter aircraft. This was the first flight in a fighter aircraft by a PM of the country.
• The plan to purchase 97 more LCA Mark-1A aircraft was first announced by Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari in Spain. The decision to purchase these aircraft has come after a review meeting of the indigenous fighter aircraft programme chaired by the Air Force Chief.
• All the companies associated with the program including HAL were involved in this meeting. The previous order for LCA Mark-1A was for 83 aircraft, with the first aircraft to be delivered in a few weeks from now.
• The LCA Mark-1A has more advanced avionics and radar than the initial 40 LCA aircraft being supplied to the Air Force. The indigenous content in Mark-1A will be more than 65 percent.

Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) test:

• The Army's Trishakti Corps on the India-China border in Sikkim conducted a test firing of Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) in a super high altitude area at an altitude of 17,000 feet. This test was named 'One Missile One Tank'.
• During this, the soldiers hit the target accurately. Missile firing troops of all mechanized and infantry units of the Eastern Command participated in this test.
• During this, the ability to neutralize armored threats was demonstrated.

About Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL):

• HAL is a state-owned Indian aerospace and defense company. The headquarters of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is situated in Bangalore, India.
• HAL was established in Bangalore on December 23, 1940, by Walchand Hirachand, initially known as Hindustan Aircraft Limited.
• During the Second World War, the government purchased one-third of the company's stake in March 1941, and after independence, HAL was taken under the administrative control of the Ministry of Defence in January 1951.
• Later in October, 1964, HAL was merged with the newly formed Aeronautics India Limited. This is how HAL came into existence.
• With over 50 years of experience, HAL is currently manufacturing a wide range of military helicopters and aircraft for the country.
• Earlier this month, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) had approved the purchase of 106 HTT-40 Basic Trainer Aircraft (BTA) being developed by HAL for the Indian Air Force.
• HAL has played a very important role in meeting the military requirements of the Indian Army. But on many occasions it has been criticized due to delays in the production process.