7th FOC Tejas Takes Flight after months of delays

Source : RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG.

Image Credit to Praneeth Franklin

LA-5023 (SP-27), the 7th final operational clearance (FOC) standard aircraft after 6-7 months of delays due to CCP Delta Variant surge in the country has taken its first flight after it was snapped 2 days back by avid aviation sporter. idrw.org has been told that HAL plans to deliver at least more three FOC Tejas by end of the financial year, even though the target is 5 by March 2022.

The remaining 5-6 FOC Tejas are being planned to be handed over to IAF by the second quarter of FY2022-23 as work starts on the two Tejas Trainer aircraft. HAL’s first Flying Test Bed (FTB) for Tejas Mk1A that was supposed to take to the air by March 2022 might be revised to May or June 2022.

HAL recently decided to add a second FTB for Tejas Mk1A so that it can be certified by Mid 2023. HAL Chief has confirmed that the first Two Tejas Mk1A aircraft will be handed over to IAF by March 2024.

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