IAF’s Second LCA Tejas Squadron To Be Raised At Sulur Air Base With FOC Configuration Aircraft

The Indian Air Force (IAF) will raise the second squadron of the indigenously developed and manufactured aircraft LCA Tejas at the Sulur Air Base in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday (27 May), Hindustan Times has reported.

The second squadron will be raised with the induction of the maiden LCA Tejas aircraft with final operational clearance (FOC) configuration. The airbase is also home to the first LCA Tejas squadron in India which comprises of aircraft in the initial operational clearance (IOC) configuration.

The IAF has ordered 40 LCA Tejas aircraft in its first order to the state-run manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). This is expected to be followed with an order for 83 LCA Mk-1A advanced Tejas aircraft in a deal with Rs 38,000 crore which was approved by the Defence Ministry in March.

The Mk-1A would be the most advanced Tejas jet yet lased with features like digital radar warning receivers, external self-protection jammer pods, active electronically scanned array radar, advanced beyond-visual-range missiles and better maintainability.