HAL Announces Production of 16th LCA of IOC Contract
Banking high on its final FOC operational clearance, HAL has order for 40 LCAs (16 fighters each in IOC and FOC and 8 trainers) from IAF
The state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) announced 25 March that it has produced the 16th LCA, as per the target till 31 March 2019. The customer flights are expected to be completed by the end of this month. HAL has order for 40 LCAs (16 fighters each in IOC and FOC and 8 trainers) from IAF. The aircraft was inducted into IAF squadron ‘Flying Daggers’ on 1 July 2016.
The production of LCA commenced in 2014 with a current production capacity of eight aircraft per annum. A second production line has been established at Aircraft Division (Bangalore Complex), which is carrying out structural assembly, final assembly and equipping of the aircraft.
Recently, HAL had received drawings and documents related to FOC with limited clearance for LCA (Tejas) from CEMILAC and ADA. With this, HAL can start working towards product ionisation of FOC standard fighter aircraft. The first aircraft in FOC configuration may roll-out by the end of this calendar year.
LCA demonstrated its combat capability in the IAF’s Gagan Shakti exercise by firing the Air-to-Air BVR Derby missile. Two LCAs will be flying at the Langkawi International Maritime Aerospace Expo (Lima- 2019) in Malaysia beginning 26 March. HAL team will be providing the technical support at the show.
Touted as the smallest and lightest multi-role supersonic fighter aircraft of its class, the advanced fourth generation Tejas is an agile single engine supersonic fighter.