India, Sept. 28 -- India's latest fighter aircraft, the light combat aircraft (LCA) Mk-1A, is finally nearing induction into the Indian Air Force after missing several deadlines. Both the IAF and state-run aircraft maker Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) are confident that the locally built, single-engine fighter will enter service by the end of this year.

The LCA Mk-1A is the latest and more capable version of the Tejas fighter. It is expected to eventually replace the MiG-21, which retired last year after more than six decades of service.

Here's what you need to know about the LCA Mk-1A:

The IAF has placed two orders for 180 LCA Mk-1A fighter jets worth a combined Rs.1.1 lakh crore.

The first contract, signed in February 2021, was...