BANGALORE, India — The Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft is back on the table for co-production and shared use by Russia and India as the latter sets up a committee for a comprehensive review of the FGFA, the chairman of state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited revealed at the Aero India 2017 event in Bangalore.

"It is now up to Ministry of Defense to take a final call now," T. Suvarna Raju said.

The FGFA program has lain dormant since the initial agreement between HAL and Sukhoi Design Bureau of Russia was signed in 2010 to jointly produce the aircraft. Under the deal, both India and Russia would use the fighter.

When signed, the final agreement will pave the way for the release of $6 billion for development costs and the go-ahead for an order of more than 150 FGFA by the Indian Air Force worth more than $20 billion.

LCA production

Raju also discussed the status of several HAL-manufactured aircraft and helicopters.

The chairman announced that the company's production line will increase at a cost of $150 million to roll out more homemade light combat aircraft.

"From 2019, HAL will be manufacturing eight aircraft per year, which will be increased to 16 per year," Raju said.

A pair of Tejas - Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) take off during a display on the second day of the Aero India exhibition at Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bangalore on February 15, 2017. / AFP / MANJUNATH KIRAN (Photo credit should read MANJUNATH KIRAN/AFP/Getty Images)

A pair of Tejas Light Combat Aircraft take off during a display on the second day of the Aero India exhibition in Bangalore, India, on Feb. 15, 2017.

Photo Credit: Manjunath Kiran/AFP via Getty Images

The Indian Air Force is expected place an order for 83 upgraded LCA-Mark-1A fighters — this in addition to the 40 LCA Mark-1 (basic model) already ordered.

So far HAL has delivered three LCA Mark-1 fighters; the remainder of the order will be delivered by 2020, Raju said.

An Air Force official, however, said HAL will not be able to keep its delivery timeline because 40 improvements have to be made to the LCA-Mark-1A. The improvements include active electronically scanned array radars, air-to-air refueling probes, externally fitted electronic warfare suites and a new internal layout to resolve maintenance issues.

HAL has also promised to reduce the weight of the LCA-Mark-1A so that the General Electric F404 engine can power the upgraded LCA-Mark-1A, the official said.

Multirole helicopter

HAL unveiled the full-scale model of its Indian Multirole Helicopter, or IMRH, at Aero India 2017. The company aims to tap the big-ticket multirole helo market.

"There is a total requirement of over 200 Indian multirole helicopters," Raju noted.

HAL plans to indigenously develop the twin-engine, 12-ton IMRH with service ceiling of about 20,000 feet, a payload of 3,500 kilograms and a seating capacity of 24. HAL has also said there will be a dedicated naval version of the helicopter.

Vivek Raghuvanshi is the India correspondent for Defense News.

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