IAF to get 1st batch of Tejas by March 2024

R Madhavan, Chairman and Managing Director of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), on Thursday, said that they will deliver Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas to Indian Air Force (IAF) by March 2024.

"As per the contract, we are to start delivery of LCA (Light Combat Aircraft) by 36 months from today. The first delivery will be by March 2024. In the first year, there will be delivery of two aircraft which will be ramped up to 16. Total supply time, post first delivery is 6 years," Madhavan said at a press conference in Bengaluru.

"We faced issues due to lockdown in the first two quarters. The first quarter was completely washed out.

But till the third quarter, we recovered. So financially or otherwise, we will reach the target set for the year, as per pre-Covid times," he added.

Meanwhile, the IAF sought quotation from the HAL to make its basic Hindustan Turbo Trainer (HTT-40) for training its pilots, a top official said on Thursday.

"We have received RFQ (request for quotation) from the IAF to make HTT-40 aircraft for basic training of its rookie pilots, HAL Chairman R. Madhavan told reporters on the margins of the 13th biennial Aero India 2021 at the Yelahanka air base of the IAF on the city's northern outskirts.