BANGALORE: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is set to make aviation history as it prepares to hand over the inaugural Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) twin-seater trainer version to the Indian Air Force (IAF) in a momentous ceremony in Bangalore. This significant event, scheduled for today, will witness the Minister of State for Defence, Ajay Bhatt, and Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari gracing the LCA Tejas division plant with their presence.

This milestone signifies a strategic accomplishment in the development of the LCA Twin Seater, designed with the aim of nurturing and transitioning aspiring pilots from twin-seater variants to full-fledged fighter pilots. HAL has received an order for 18 twin-seater aircraft from the IAF, with plans to deliver eight of them in the fiscal year 2023-24. The remaining ten twin-seaters are scheduled for progressive delivery by 2026-27, and there is anticipation of additional orders from the IAF.

The LCA-Tejas program represents one of India's most extensive research and development initiatives, taking flight for the first time in 2001 and achieving numerous milestones since. It is poised to become the backbone of the IAF's fleet in the years to come. HAL, situated in Bangalore, has already received an order for 123 aircraft, out of which 32 fighters have been supplied to the IAF, and two squadrons are operational at Sulur Air Force Base.

Full-scale production of the LCA Tejas is in progress at HAL, with plans to deliver the remaining aircraft by 2027-28 progressively. Furthermore, HAL has successfully manufactured the first-ever twin-seater variant of the LCA Tejas, equipped to meet the training needs of the IAF and, if required, assume a fighter role.

The LCA Tejas Twin Seater is a lightweight, all-weather multi-role 4.5 generation aircraft. It incorporates cutting-edge concepts and technologies such as relaxed static stability, quadruplex fly-by-wire flight control, carefree maneuvering, an advanced glass cockpit, integrated digital avionics systems, and advanced composite materials for the airframe.

India now joins the exclusive ranks of a select few nations with the capacity to deploy such capabilities within their defense forces, further underscoring the "Atmanirbhar Bharat" initiative of the government.

The Minister of State for Defence presided as the chief guest during the ceremony, which featured the unveiling of the LCA Twin Seater, the presentation of the Release to Service (RSD), and the issuance of the Signalling Out Certificate (SOC). These proceedings took place in the distinguished presence of the Chief of Air Staff-IAF, the Chairman and Managing Director of HAL, the Director General of ADA, and the Chief Executive of the Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC). Distinguished representatives from the IAF, Ministry of Defence (MOD), HAL, ADA, DGAQA, CEMILAC, DRDO, and production partners were also in attendance.

HAL is actively engaged in negotiations with several foreign-friendly nations for the export of the LCA Tejas platform. It has submitted tailored proposals for the export of LCA Tejas fighters and Twin Seater aircraft to countries across the globe. The LCA Tejas stands as India's flagship offering, aligned with the government's export targets, further cementing its position on the global stage.