HAL was to roll out the Final Operational Clearance version of the indigenously-built aircraft by 2011, but project has been hit by delays

New Delhi: The Modi government and the opposition Congress are busy sparring over the value of contracts given to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) but the state-run aerospace continues to struggle with one of its biggest and most prestigious projects in hand – rolling out the more complex version of the indigenously built fighter aircraft Tejas.

HAL was to roll out the Final Operational Clearance (FOC) version of the light combat aircraft in 2011. It has a contract with the Indian Air Force (IAF) to produce 20 aircraft of the FOC version.

The process, however, has been delayed due to various reasons, from hardware and software modifications to limited hours of flight testing. Another main reason is that the developmental phase by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) is still not complete.

Speaking to ThePrint, sources indicated that the roll-out may take more time even though the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has stepped in to hasten the process.

Sources said that a high-level meeting was held in the ministry on 29 December, following which HAL has got the clearance to manufacture the FOC standard aircraft. The testing and certification for the final FOC clearance will continue on the side, the sources said.

They, however, termed it a “stopgap” arrangement to ensure that HAL’s production lines don’t remain idle since the firm is expected to complete the production of the more basic form of the Tejas aircraft — the Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) version — by March this year.

The HAL has to deliver 20 aircraft of the IOC variant, the last of which is expected to roll out in March.

The main difference between the two is that while the FOC Tejas variant will have a gun of its own besides mid-air refuelling capability and a number of software upgrades, the IOC version is an armed version with laser missiles and bombs, and does not have a gun, sources said.

Once the FOC is done, the 20 IOC variants will also be re-configured with the gun and mid-air refuelling capability.

It is feared that there is so much work needed that some of the aircraft may never get these two capabilities. Asked if the Tejas in the current IOC form can fight a war, top sources said it can, but only a truncated one.