New Delhi: Leading aerospace manufacturer HAL has said that design and development issues identified in the light combat aircraft (LCA) programme are being addressed in an expedited manner, even as its top official said the reported ouster of the company from a next-generation combat development programme would not be a big blow as it is still at a prototype stage and the company would bid for larger manufacturing orders that would come after a decade.
HAL CMD DK Sunil told ET that the company has not been officially informed of its ouster from the advanced multirole combat aircraft (AMCA) programme but regardless of the outcome of the competition, the aeronautical giant has a robust order book.
“AMCA is right now at the prototype stage and we anticipate that the larger order (for supplies to IAF) will be placed around 2035. We will be a contender for it at that time. AMCA has not been factored in for the company’s growth for the next decade,” he said.
He added the company has a robust order book for supply of LCA fighters, light combat helicopters, trainers and helicopters for civilian use. HAL also expects that orders for the Mk2 version of LCA will be placed by 2030-31. On further delays in supplies of LCA Mk1a to IAF, HAL said it is in active discussions with the Air Force to deliver the aircraft at the earliest. “All design and development issues identified are being addressed in an expedited manner,” a company statement read.
HAL said five aircraft are fully ready for delivery, incorporating “major contracted capabilities” in accordance with specifications. It added an additional nine aircraft have been built and flown. As reported, LCA deliveries are running behind time and are unlikely to meet the revised timeline of March as certifications and final clearances are pending.