LCA to get initial operational clearance soon

Bangalore, Jan 29 (UNI) The indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) will get the much anticipated Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) within the next two years.

Speaking to visiting reporters at the public sector Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd here today, Aeronautical Design and Development Centre General Manager A Mohan said the IOC for the most modern military aircraft was expected to come either next year or in 2009.

The three prototypes of the aircraft had completed nearly 600 hours of test flights. The aircraft would be inducted into the Indian Air Force in 2010, he added.

The fourth prototype PV-5 would fly in August this year and the IAF had ordered 28 aircraft, including eight in the limited series.

Weaponisation of the fighter jet was in progress and it would be completed in 18 months. The standard fitting of the aircraft would include R-73 missiles and drop tanks, he said.

Mr Mohan said the Naval version of LCA was in the production stage and initially HAL had received orders for two aircraft -- a trainer and a fighter. ''The first Naval version will fly next year.'' HAL Aircraft Division General Manager Ashok Nayak said the production of Jaguar jet fighters would come to an end within two years. HAL had produced 109 such aircraft and after it completed the remaining 20, production would end by 2009.

The aviation major would begin production of Hawk jet fighters, for which India had recently signed a production agreement with Britain, from next year. ''We have sent 105 people to Britain for training and another 100 would go shortly for training in all levels. We will deliver the first jet by March 2008,'' he said.

Mr Mohan said planning activities for the induction of Intermediate Jet Trainer, another indigenously produced military aircraft which had received excellent customer support, have been initiated. Two prototypes of IJT were ready.

UNI