The Indian Air Force’s fleet of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas has been given the green light to resume flight operations following a temporary suspension for technical assessment. It is anticipated that the aircraft will be fully operational again this week.
D K Sunil, Chairman and Managing Director of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), confirmed the progress, stating that the Local Modification Committee (LMC) has finalized its evaluation and authorized the aircraft’s reinstatement.
“The positive update is that the Local Modification Committee (LMC) procedures have been completed. We anticipate approval by Wednesday, after which the fleet will be back in the air. Certain one-time checks have been prescribed and will be conducted before normal operations resume. All 36 aircraft will be back in service,” he mentioned.
HAL expects the final approval for all 36 aircraft by Wednesday, paving the way for their gradual reintroduction into active service. The resumption of operations will adhere to a well-structured safety protocol jointly managed by HAL and the IAF. Before take-off, all aircraft will undergo mandatory “one-time checks” as part of routine preventive inspections to ensure compliance with updated safety standards.
This clearance encompasses all 36 operational Tejas aircraft currently in operation, reinstating the full strength of both No. 45 Squadron (Flying Daggers) and No. 18 Squadron (Flying Bullets).
This development signifies a swift comeback for India’s indigenous fighter jet program, underscoring the IAF’s operational preparedness and the trustworthiness of the domestically produced platform.