HAL Receives First LCA Production Order with U.S. Engines

India's protracted indigenous Light Combat Aircraft program has received a major boost from a government contract received by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd for limited series production. In an exclusive interview at Asian Aerospace, HAL chairman N.R. Mohanty told Show News that the deal will involve an initial batch of eight aircraft for the Indian air force, for deliveries scheduled from 2006.

Like the first three LCA technology demonstrators, the aircraft will be powered by General Electric F404 turbofans. First flight of the second LCA (TD2) is planned in the next few weeks, but the third prototype vehicle (PV3), originally due to fly soon with the planned indigenous Kaveri engine, has also been completed with an F404 turbofan.

By John Fricker