Great step towards self-reliance in Aerospace manufacturing

On Jan 13, 2021 Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) cleared purchase of 83 no.s of LCA (light combat aircraft) at cost of Rs 45,696 crore. It is a great step towards self-reliance in Aerospace manufacturing in India and will create an excellent ecosystem with HAL, BEL ,L&T and other 160 plus indian co.s/MSMEs.

I recall as Chairman HAL, that IOC(initial operational clearance) was achieved on Dec 20, 2013 and we delivered first Series Production aircraft (SP-1) to Air Chief Arup Raha in the presence of Manohar Parrikar, the then Raksha Mantri on Jan 17, 2015 (in just 13 months).

The future-LCA is important for us . THREE SUGGESTIONS—We must form a national advisory group of LCA for effective execution and tech adoptions. HAL also needs to increase Annual production capacity. LCA skills now be converted into a new National program-IRTA(Indian Regional Transport Aircraft.

Thanks to PM and  RM for this positive decision...compliments IAF, DRDO and HAL for the achievement....

Dr R K Tyagi