HAL hands over LCA FOC trainers, HTT-40 to IAF, 4 Dhruv-NG choppers to Pawan Hans

BENGALURU: Defence PSU HAL Friday handed over two LCA Tejas twin-seater trainers in the final operational clearance (FOC) configuration, and the first of the HTT-40 basic trainer to the Indian Air Force (IAF), while also handing over four Dhruv Next Generation (Dhruv-NG) helicopters to Pawan Hans Limited.The LCA trainer delivery completes the twin-seater deliveries under the FOC contract, while the Dhruv-NG and HTT-40, whose name “Ankur” was formally announced Friday, marks the beginning of the deliveries under those respective contracts.Defence minister Rajnath Singh, and civil aviation minister K Rammohan Naidu were present at the handing-over ceremony. The LCA FOC Trainer is a lightweight, all-weather, multi-role aircraft to support IAF’s Tejas training requirements. It can undertake fighter operations when required.“It incorporates contemporary technologies including: relaxed static stability, quadruplex fly-by-wire flight-control system, carefree manoeuvring, advanced glass cockpit, integrated digital avionics and advanced composite materials for the airframe.