Tejas Aircraft: Govt promises to fast track production of Light Combat Aircraft
The minister stated that out of total 20 IOC aircraft (16 fighters and 4 trainers), 9 fighters have been delivered by HAL to IAF till date, while the production of remaining 11 IOC aircraft (7 fighter + 4 trainer) are taken up at HAL. The aircraft is currently capable of undertaking Air Defence Operations and conventional ground attack with heavy bombs is feasible, he said.
Production for 20 FOC aircraft, will be taken up after FOC clearance by Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) for which current target is December 2018, he said. Image source: Reuters