New Delhi: With its fighter squadron strength dwindling and finalisation of medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) still eluding, the Indian Air Force has sped up its plan to raise the first squadron of indigenously developed light combat aircraft (LCA) Tejas. Sources in the Defence Ministry told UNI that the IAF was planning to raise the first squadron of the aircraft by next year after getting the delivery of at least six Tejas in the Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) configuration.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has already delivered the first IOC-standard aircraft to IAF in January this year.
Rest of the five Tejas of same configuration are likely to be handed over to it by this financial year end, the sources said. The first squadron of Tejas will be rechristened as Squadron 45 and it would be called ‘Flying Daggers’. Keeping the logistical issues in mind, the squadron will be based in Bangalore so that the HAL may be called into service at any given point to sort out the teething problems if any, an IAF official said, adding that subsequently, the squadron would be shifted to Sulur base of the IAF.
23/03/15 Central Chronicle
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has already delivered the first IOC-standard aircraft to IAF in January this year.
Rest of the five Tejas of same configuration are likely to be handed over to it by this financial year end, the sources said. The first squadron of Tejas will be rechristened as Squadron 45 and it would be called ‘Flying Daggers’. Keeping the logistical issues in mind, the squadron will be based in Bangalore so that the HAL may be called into service at any given point to sort out the teething problems if any, an IAF official said, adding that subsequently, the squadron would be shifted to Sulur base of the IAF.
23/03/15 Central Chronicle
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