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Improved Light Combat Aircraft gets green light for production
News:
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) aims to get the first Improved Light Combat Aircraft in 2019
Important Facts:
- The Light Combat Aircraft is being designed and developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) in Bengaluru. The IAF has asked HAL to make 40 LCA aircraft. Of this, 20 will be in the advanced ‘FOC’ (final operational clearance) format. Another 20 are in the earlier IOC (initial operational clearance) version.
- The FOC tag signals that the novice LCA is fully equipped and fit for battle. It adds many features over the IOC version, which Tejas achieved in December 2013.
- The IOC enabled the IAF to start flying it and in getting acquainted with its competences.
About Tejas
- Designed and developed by DRDO’s Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and built by the state-run defence aerospace major Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), Tejas is a supersonic fourth generation fighter for induction in the Indian Air Force (IAF) fleet and its variant in the Indian Navy.
- The lightweight, supersonic, multi-role single seat fighter was inducted in Indian Air Force
- It came from the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme, which began in the 1980s to replace India’s ageing MiG-21 fighters
