IAF to procure 126 LCAs

The Indian Air Force is in the process of procuring 126 light combat aircraft to increase its might, Air Chief Marshal S P Tyagi said.

"The aircraft would be procured somewhere around the end of this decade and no specific deadline is set  for it," Tyagi told reporters during a ceremonial passing-out parade at INS Mandovi, Goa. "We will make requests to many countries for procuring LCAs. The total estimated budget for this procurement cannot be mentioned at this moment."

"The Indian economy is growing at a reasonable rate and, under such circumstances, we will have to purchase technology that will give us reach and is within our budget," Tyagi said.

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When asked to compare Indian Airforce with its US counterpart, in view of the recent joint exercises, Tyagi said, "We cannot compete with the US as their requirements are different from ours."

On the strength and vigilance of the armed forces in the border regions, Tyagi said, "Kargil cannot happen again."

When asked about the proxy war unleashed by terrorists in the country, he said, "Terrorism has to be tackled on different fronts and that does not mean that we should stop our diplomatic talks with the neighbouring countries."