The first day of Aero India 2019 is a significant day in the journey of Light Combat Aircraft Tejas MK I for Indian Air Force (IAF), as a formal declaration of Final Operational Clearance (FOC) of the aircraft was made by Secretary Defence R&D and Chairman DRDODr G Satheesh Reddy.
The day also witnessed the handing over of FOC Certificate and Release to Service Document (RSD) to the Chief of Air Staff in the presence of Defence Secretary and CMD, HAL.
FOC involves addition of key capabilities to the Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) aircraft which in main are Beyond Visual Range Missile capabilities. Air-to-Air Refuelling, Air-to-Ground FOC earmarked weapons and general flight envelope expansion.
