First FOC Standard LCA Tejas inducted into IAF Squadron
The Indian Air Force (IAF) today set up a new Squadron 'Flying Bullets' at Sulur in South India comprising of a lone Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas aircraft in Final Operational Clearance (FOC) Standard.
Four more FOC standard Tejas aircraft are in an advanced stage of production and are likely to be inducted in the near future, its manufacturer, HAL said today.
“We are proud to deliver a much lethal aircraft than the IOC block. Apart from all the capabilities of IOC aircraft, the FOC variant additionally comes with Air- to-Air refueling capability, close combat gun, additional drop tanks, BVR missile capability, updated avionics and flight control software suite”, says Mr. R. Madhavan, CMD, HAL.
The FOC variant will reduce the maintenance man hours and turn-around time resulting in enhanced support for IAF missions.
HAL commenced the training for both air crew as well as maintenance crew for FOC aircraft and the first batch of trained air warriors are already with the 18 Squadron.
Meanwhile, IAF chief, Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria flew the Tejas fighter this morning with 45 Squadron at Air Force Station Sulur. He is on a visit to the Station for operationalisation of 18 Squadron.
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