Airbus Group Bets Big on LCA

The Airbus Group which is a design consultant to India's Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)Project, is betting big on supplying critical parts and systems to the LCA.

The LCA which completed its Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) late last year, is on way to its Final Operational Clearance (FOC) within the next two years after which it will be cleared for full-scale production.

Airbus sources said some of the equipment and components which the group could supply for the LCA include missile warning system, the AESA radar and the engines.

"Airbus has worked closely with the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO)as a design consultant and brings its experience with the Eurofighter project in helping the LCA achieve its design objectives", an Airbus source said at the DEFEXPO 2014 exhibition.

The LCA is currently equipped with the American General Electric engines and a variety of components from various suppliers. The final equipment to go into the LCA will depend upon what the DRDO wants at the time of deciding its full-scale production.

After emerging as the losing finalist in the MMRCA project, Eurofighter/Airbus is keeping its fingers crossed that should negotiations with Dassault fail, it may be called upon to fulfill its part of the contract.

However, the LCA project, which the government considers a priority looks like a more certain prospect for Airbus.