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.
