Talks To Produce LCA Engines In India Are Underway: DRDO Chairman

Discussions are underway for an engine deal to enable co-development with manufacturers, adding that this will aid in the indigenous manufacture of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), Samir Kamat, chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) said.

The DRDO chief's remark follows Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's announcement that India will soon produce indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) engines.

The DRDO chairman stated in an exclusive interview with ANI, “At the ongoing Bengaluru air show, we displayed the Tapas drones, which soared to a height of 15,000 feet. We also demonstrated our UAV Archer, which could be weaponised. We've also created a new missile family, which includes the Akash NG, VSHORADS, and MPATGM.”

I can say that our weapon systems are on par with the best indigenous weapon systems, he added.

He also stated that negotiations for the production of engines for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) Mark 2 are ongoing with three defence firms in three countries.

“By 2028, the LCA Mark2 should be ready for induction. The first flight of the AMCA Phase 1 could take seven years, and induction could take ten years. We cannot predict when the AMCA Mark 2 with a new engine will be available until we sign an engine deal for co-development with another OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer). We have been in discussions with Safran France, GE in the United States, and Rolls Royce in the United Kingdom,” DRDO's chief stated.

Kamat stated, “The LCA Mark2 will be powered by GE-414 engines. The discussions with GE are ongoing, and they are enthusiastic. We are just waiting for approval from the US government.”

He stated that once the US government approves, the engines will be manufactured locally.

“The issue was discussed during our NSA's recent visit to the United States. The US government was willing to consider it (indigenous manufacture of engines). Hopefully, an announcement of the transfer of technology will occur within the next 3-6 months, and these engines will be manufactured in the country itself,” Kamat said.

Kamat added that the DRDO is going to develop the first tripod-fired very short-range air defence system. Another one, a shoulder-fired version, has also been cleared for the Army.