Going Great Guns

Jaison Deepak

The Indian Air Force (IAF) had issued the Request for Proposal (RFP) to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for 83 LCA MK1A Tejas aircraft for which HAL had to respond within three months. The move reassures the IAF’s interest in the programme despite the concerns expressed. The RFP requires 73 single seat MK1A fighters and 10 twin seat Trainers. The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) in November 2016 granted the Acceptance Of Necessity (AON) which cleared Rs 50,000 crore for the acquisition. This will be in addition to the already placed orders for 40 aircraft in the MK1 configuration of which the first 20 will be of IOC standard and the other 20 will be of FOC standard.

LCA Tejas

The Flying Daggers

Five of the first lot of 20 LCA Tejas have been inducted into the No. 45 Squadron of the IAF (Flying Daggers) currently based in Yelahanka, Bangalore to replace Mig-21 Bison fighters. The squadron’s focus now would be on training pilots, technicians, ground crew, and exploring the operational envelopes of the aircraft and accordingly, device tactics. With the squadron being close to HAL, it facilitates technical assistance to the IAF till it is well acquainted with the aircraft. The squadron would be moved to Sulur, Coimbatore later. The squadron has already taken part in the IAF exercises and aerial displays during events.

FOC and Production Activities

HAL’s CMD Suvarna Raju had revealed that Final Operational Clearance (FOC) is to be achieved by mid-2018 or by 2018 end conservatively. Various parameters are being proven and envelopes including Angle of Atta