HAL Produces 16th LCA for Indian Air Force

First aircraft in FOC configuration to roll-out by end of 2019

Indian state-owned aerospace and defence company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has produced the 16th Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) of its order for 40 LCAs (16 fighters each in IOC and FOC and 8 trainers) from IAF. The customer flights are expected to be completed by the end of this month.

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. The aircraft was inducted into IAF squadron ‘Flying Daggers’ on July 1, 2016.

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 production 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 tomorrow. HAL team will be providing the technical support at the show.