HAL Hands Over Twin-Seater Light Combat Aircraft To IAF

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has handed over the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) twin-seater trainer version aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF).

Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari receives the LCA Tejas twin-seater trainer aircraft from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited CMD CB Ananthakrishnan in Bengaluru. ( Image Source :ANI )

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on Wednesday handed over the first Light Combat Aircraft twin-seater trainer version aircraft to the Indian Air Force in Bengaluru. Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari received the LCA Tejas twin-seater trainer aircraft. He said, "We have now signed a contract for 83 additional LCA (Light Combat Aircraft) and we are moving forward to procuring 97 more LCAs. In the coming years, we will have a fleet of 220 LCAs in the inventory of the Indian Air Force. It is a matter of pride for the country."

Present at the event, MoS Defence Ajay Bhatt said, "Today is a historic day. I am very proud to be in HAL and to witness all agreements done here. We have handed over the first LCA twin-seater to IAF. Some years ago we were dependent on other countries for fighter jets. PM Modi wants India to do better in all fields. We are getting Atmanirbhar."

Earlier last week, the Indian Air Force planned to put an order for 156 additional Prachand Light Combat Helicopters with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) as part of the Centre's 'Make in India' policy, according to ANI.

The IAF and Indian Army would deploy the helicopters in both the eastern and western sectors, bolstering troops along the China-Pakistan border. After conducting testing in the world's most harsh weather and terrain, the two services have already enrolled 15 of these choppers into their fleet in the previous 15 months.

Notably, Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari, addressed the media on Tuesday, providing insights into the Indian Air Force's (IAF) operational readiness, ongoing modernisation efforts, and the dynamic nature of their strategies along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

The IAF, he noted, will maintain its deployment along the LAC until complete disengagement occurs in the remaining contested areas in the region, as per PTI's report.

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