In a momentous achievement for India’s defense sector, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has delivered the first LCA Tejas twin-seater aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF). This landmark development elevates India to the exclusive league of nations with the expertise to create and operate such advanced capabilities within their armed forces, further reinforcing the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative of the Government of India.
The twin-seater variant of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas possesses all the essential capabilities to meet the IAF’s training requirements while also seamlessly transitioning into a fighter role when necessary. The Bengaluru-headquartered HAL proudly unveiled the aircraft during a ceremony attended by Union Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt, alongside other distinguished guests, including Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari.
The LCA Tejas twin-seater represents a cutting-edge, lightweight, all-weather, multi-role 4.5 generation aircraft. It integrates contemporary concepts and technologies such as relaxed static stability, quadraplex fly-by-wire flight control, carefree maneuvering, advanced glass cockpit, integrated digital avionics systems, and state-of-the-art composite materials for its airframe.
HAL’s achievement adds India to the select group of countries possessing the capability to design, produce, and deploy such advanced aircraft for their defense forces. This accomplishment underscores India’s commitment to self-reliance in defense manufacturing and technology.
“This historic event today will mark the achievement of a key milestone of producing an LCA twin-seater, which is designed with a strategic intent of graduating the budding pilots from the twin-seater variants to fighter pilots,” stated HAL.
HAL has received an order for 18 twin-seater LCA Tejas aircraft from the IAF and plans to deliver eight of them by the year 2023-24. The remaining ten aircraft will be progressively delivered by 2026-27. Additionally, HAL anticipates further orders from the IAF, underscoring the growing confidence in India’s indigenous defense capabilities.
This delivery marks a significant step forward in India’s journey toward enhancing its indigenous defense capabilities and ensuring the readiness of its armed forces. The LCA Tejas twin-seater’s versatility and advanced features will contribute to strengthening India’s defense preparedness in the years to come.
Sources By Agencies
