Subhechcha Ganguly 
The Air Force plans to acquire an additional 100 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mark-1A fighter jets from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in order to replace its outdated fleet of MiG series fighters.The decision to replace the ageing fleet of MiG-21, 23 and 27 fighter aircraft is made in an effort to support the domestic aerospace sector.Soon after receiving the first C-295 transport aircraft in Spain, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari of the Indian Air Force stated his intention to purchase the indigenous aircraft.
Over 400 MiG 21 aircraft have crashed due to accidents since 1963, killing over 200 pilots and 60 civilians in total, according to government figures.The order would result in a very significant re-entry of LCA Tejas fighters into the Indian Air Force. In the following 15 years, the IAF will have 40 LCA, more than 180 LCA Mark-1A, and at least 120 LCA Mark-2 aircraft.The original 40 LCAs being sent to the Air Force have less sophisticated avionics and radars than the LCA Mark 1A aircraft.The new LCA Mark 1A will contain more than 65% indigenous material.
