The Indian Air Force (IAF) received the first LCA Tejas twin-seater aircraft delivered today by HAL. During the event, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, said that the Indian Air Force (IAF) will purchase an additional 97 LCAs, bringing the total number of LCAs in its inventory up to 220.
The LCA Tejas Twin Seater is designed to accommodate two pilots, a light, all-weather, multi-role aircraft of the 4.5th generation. It is intended to assist the IAF in meeting its training needs and, if necessary, to take on the fighter role. It blends various contemporary ideas and technological advancements, such as unconstrained static stability, quadruple fly-by-wire flight control, effortless manoeuvrability, advanced glass cockpit, integrated digital avionics systems, and innovative composite materials for the airframe.
HAL’s Chief Operating Officer in Additional Charge, C. B. Ananthakrishnan, said the company is committed to delivering all twin-seater aircraft under the Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) and Final Operational Clearance (FOC) contract to the Indian Air Force during the current fiscal year. He said these trainers make it easier for pilots in this class to transfer from trainer aircraft to combat aircraft.
Attending the event were Indian politicians, the Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, C B Ananthakrishnan – HAL CMD (Addl. Charge), Girish S Deodhare – Director General, ADA, A P V S Prasad – CE (A), CEMILAC, and officials from the Indian Air Force, the Ministry of Defence, the Defence Research and Development Organisation, HAL, and production partners. During the event, both the Release to Service Document (RSD) and the Signalling Out Certificate (SOC) were handed over.
