Hindustan Aeronautics carries out first flight of LCA SP-21
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) completed the maiden flight of the first Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) in Final Operational Clearance standard SP-21 in Bangalore on 17 March.
The aircraft took off from HAL Airport and was airborne for 40 minutes, the company announced in a statement on Twitter.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) plans to procure 140 Tejas LCAs to equip seven squadrons. The service is currently operating 18 of the 123 aircraft it has ordered so far.
Tejas is capable of being refuelled air-to-air and the aircraft is armed with a Derby beyond visual range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) system.
More from Air Warfare
-
![Singapore Airshow 2026: Embraer still sees future C-390 opportunities in region following RSAF snub]()
Singapore Airshow 2026: Embraer still sees future C-390 opportunities in region following RSAF snub
The company disclosed several defence contracts and upgrades for its defence aircraft at the show, including additional Super Tucano orders and a new C-390 Millennium customer, Uzbekistan.
-
![Singapore Airshow 2026: Boeing eyes $65 billion Asia-Pacific market despite Indonesia F-15 halt]()
Singapore Airshow 2026: Boeing eyes $65 billion Asia-Pacific market despite Indonesia F-15 halt
With a growing customer list and portfolio expansion in the region, the company has said that it has a strong ongoing commitment to Asia-Pacific.
-
![Singapore Airshow 2026: ST Engineering’s EagleStrike aims for 2027 early-stage production]()
Singapore Airshow 2026: ST Engineering’s EagleStrike aims for 2027 early-stage production
The new loitering munition from ST Engineering, unveiled at the Singapore Airshow for the first time, is intended for use against high-value targets such as lightly armoured vehicles.
-
![Singapore Airshow 2026: RSAF refreshes air transport capability as part of force modernisation]()
Singapore Airshow 2026: RSAF refreshes air transport capability as part of force modernisation
Singapore is understood to have received three of four ex-Spanish C-130Hs from Blue Aerospace in recent weeks.
-
![“Dramatic leaps in processing capability”: how GDMS–UK is evolving mission systems for the modern battlespace]()
“Dramatic leaps in processing capability”: how GDMS–UK is evolving mission systems for the modern battlespace
In Conversation... Shephard’s Gerrard Cowan talks to Sam Steggall, GDMS–UK’s Senior Director – Air and Naval UK, about the company’s extensive and proven in-country capability to deliver complex avionics solutions and its key role on major Royal Air Force and Royal Navy aircraft programmes.
