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SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

The Indian Navy’s ambition to procure 12 LCA-Navy Trainer aircraft for deck-based training of its fighter pilots is encountering delays, as per insights shared by a naval official with idrw.org. The primary reason for this delay is the Navy’s insistence on the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) completing rigorous testing and finalizing the configuration of the aircraft before it can be cleared for production, even in limited numbers.

ADA has so far manufactured three LCA-Navy aircraft, including two trainers and one single-seater variant. These have been employed as technology demonstrators (TD) for the Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF) program. They are instrumental in collecting crucial data and validating systems and features demanded by the Indian Navy for carrier operations.

To serve as an effective trainer from aircraft carriers, the LCA-Navy Trainer requires additional modifications. These changes are still being worked out, which has led to an uncertain timeline for finalizing the aircraft’s configuration.

The Indian Navy envisions the LCA-Navy Trainer aircraft as the next step in its training pipeline after the Hawk 132 Advanced Jet Trainers (AJTs). This would provide pilots with hands-on experience in taking off and landing from aircraft carriers, preparing them for both the Rafale M and the upcoming TEDBF.

The development and testing of the LCA-Navy directly influence the TEDBF project, making it imperative that the trainer variant meets all operational requirements before moving to production.

The LCA-Navy Trainer aircraft shares the same GE F-404 engine as the single-seat IAF version, which might contribute to further delays given the issues faced with engine supply in other HAL projects.

A naval official, speaking anonymously, claimed that the final configuration of the LCA-Navy Trainer could be arrived at soon. However, the placement of an order would still require additional time due to the meticulous nature of the testing and validation process. The order for the LCA-Navy Trainer might not materialize before 2027.

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