18 Tejas Trainers to be FOC-Standard, IFR +BVR Missiles included

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

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will start the process of manufacturing the first 4 Tejas Trainer jets from the Third quarter, Q3 of 2022 that is part of 18 Twin-seater conversion fighter jets that have been ordered from the Indian Air Force (IAF) in two separate deals.

18 Tejas Trainer jets ordered by IAF will be of FOC-Standard that will see the inclusion of the mid-air refueling probe for the very first time and also includes Astra and Derby BVR missiles so that it also makes them combat-capable.

The FOC-Standard Tejas Trainer now will also be cleared with an additional tank with 725-liter capacity installed in the central line, just at the center of the fuselage. Tejas Trainer will also be cleared to carry two fixed tanks of 1,200 and 800-liter capacity that will allow it to fly for longer missions without worrying much about the fuel.

Initial orders for 8 Tejas Trainers were supposed to come in 4 each of IOC and FOC-Standard but due to delays in freezing of the final configuration, it was then decided it will be manufactured at a later stage. With 10 more Tejas Trainer ordered this year it was decided all 18 will be manufactured in the same FOC-Standard after the conclusion of deliveries of the 16 FOC-Standard Single-seater jets next year.

Tejas-LIFT

HAL will also be working on the development of a two-seat Lead-In Flight Trainer (LIFT) Program post developmental completion of Tejas Mk1A Program. Tejas-LIFT will feature revamped Wide Area Multifunctional displays that emulate operational fighter planes, to provide efficient training in combat scenarios with reduced training costs compared to moving straight to operational conversion.

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