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| Tejas (LCA) Fighter (File Photo) |
There have been delays in the indigenous development of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA-Tejas) and the Project to co-develop Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA). The LCA has attained Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) on 20th December, 2013 paving its way to induction into IAF. In the FGFA project the PD phase has been completed in June, 2013.
The MiG-21 and MiG-27 aircrafts of the IAF have already been upgraded and currently equip 14 combat squadrons. These aircraft, however, are planned for being phased out over the next few years and will be replaced by the LCA. Steps have been initiated for upgradation of other fighter aircrafts like MiG-29, Jaguar, Mirage-2000; transport aircraft like AN-32 and Mi-17/Mi-17 IV helicopters.
This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Shri Jitendra Singh in a written reply to Shri Dharmendra Yadav and Shri Anandrao Adsul in Lok Sabha today.