In a first, Tejas successfully refuelled midair

NEWDELHI: An advanced version of the indigenously produced Light Combat Aircraft (LCA ), or Tejas, was on Monday successfully refuelled mid-air by an Ilyushin-78 tanker, demonstrating a key capability sought by the Indian Air Force.

The Russian-origin tanker fed the fighter plane, piloted by Wing Commander Siddarth Singh, with 1,900 litres of fuel at an altitude of 20,000 ft, public sector aircraft maker Hindustan Aeronautics Limited said in a statement.

The wet (actual) engagement followed two dry tests last week when the refuelling systems (probe and drogue) were tested without actually transferring fuel into the LCA.

On Monday, the LCA’S internal and drop tanks were refuelled while the jet was flying at 270 knots.

The IAF has ordered 123 LCA variants and plans to order 201 more upgraded models to arrest a sharp decline in its combat capabilities.

Of the 123 planes worth ₹70,000 crore on order, 20 each are in the initial operational clearance (IOC) and the more advanced final operational clearance (FOC) configurations, while the remaining 83 are in the MK-1A configuration that comes with additional improvements.

The defence ministry described Monday’s test as a “significant achievement” and a major step towards the FOC of the LCA. RAHUL SINGH