The LCA program originated in the early 1980s. In 1983, the Government of India established the LCA project with the initial goal to develop a new light combat aircraft to replace the ageing IAF fighters, especially the MiG-21 variants, in March 2006 IAF order for 20 Tejas planes, which were delivered in 2016. Another order for 20 Tejas planes was placed in December 2010, which were delivered in 2020.
All additional orders after 2021 are in various phases of production and there is no promise for delivery before 2025. One of the Tejas planes from batch of 2016 crashed on March 12, 2024, near Jaisalmer. The pilot was successfully ejected but his parachute was not opened and he sustained injuries. There is a video appeared showing the pilot coming down with parachute but it is not coincided with the elevation of plane.
All additional orders after 2021 are in various phases of production and there is no promise for delivery before 2025. One of the Tejas planes from batch of 2016 crashed on March 12, 2024, near Jaisalmer. The pilot was successfully ejected but his parachute was not opened and he sustained injuries. There is a video appeared showing the pilot coming down with parachute but it is not coincided with the elevation of plane.








