Article Posted on : - May 18, 2009

A file photo of Tejas LCA

NEW DELHI(BNS): The Indian Air Force will induct the first squadron of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) by the end of 2010 or early 2011, the Chief of Air Staff Fali Homi Major has said.

The LCA programme will also be regularly monitored, the IAF chief was quoted as saying by �The Hindu� during his recent farewell visit to Aeronautical Development Agency at Bangalore.

Praising the efforts of Indian defence agencies in equipping the Air Force with indigenous defence capabilities, he said, �IAF is on the transformation stage in the matter of gaining overall capabilities, with the help of organisations such as DRDO, ADA, HAL and other partners.�

The IAF chief exuded confidence that the ongoing LCA programme would lead to the development of LCA mark II, MCA and many other projects fully designed and developed by the country�s defence industry.