HAL gets nod to produce weaponized version of Tejas aircraft

Bengaluru: The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has been given the nod to manufacture a weaponized version of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas for the Indian Air Force and the first such aircraft is expected to be out by the year-end, according to a company spokesperson.

The HAL Tejas is an Indian single-seat, single-jet engine, multirole light fighter designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy.

The Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC) has given the green signal to start manufacturing of Tejas Mk1 under Final Operational Clearance (FOC) configuration, he said.

“The actual final operational clearance, however, will take place only after extensive tests and trial,” the HAL spokesperson was quoted as saying by PTI.

To get the final operational clearance, the aircraft must have battle-time capabilities of mid-air refuelling, AESA radar, electronic warfare suites, a variety of bombs and weapons, among others, he said.

The CEMILAC had accepted the design documents submitted by Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), which had designed and developed Tejas, he added.

CEMILAC is a DRDO laboratory authorized to certify military aircraft and airborne systems.

“The IAF has ordered 40 LCA aircraft. Of this, 20 will be FOC-configured. Another 20 are IOC (Initial Operational Clearance)-configured,” the HAL spokesperson said.

Some 10 to 11 IOC-configured Tejas has been given to the IAF, which flies them to get acquainted with the LCA’s competencies, he said.

Asked when the first weaponized aircraft would be out, the spokesperson said, “Our objective is to deliver it with FOC configuration by year-end — between October and December.”