Unperturbed by the criticism over delay in production and supplying of aircraft and helicopters, the State-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on Monday rolled out 16th indigenously built Light Combat Fighter Jet Tejas to Indian Air Force in Initial operational clearance (IOC). The Fighter jet will be inducted into 'Flying Daggers' an air force squadron of the IAF."We have produced 16th LCA as per the target till March 31. The customer flights are expected to be completed by the end of March," HAL said in a statement.

The defence behemoth has an order from IAF for 40 LCAs (16 each in IOC and final operational clearance (FOC) "The first aircraft in FOC configuration may roll out by the end of this calendar year (2019)," HAL said.Production of the fighter began in 2014 with a capacity of eight aircraft per annum. A second production line has been set up at Aircraft Division in this aerospace hub, which carries out structural assembly, final assembly and equipping of the aircraft.

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. 

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 productionisation 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” the statement said.