The Indian Air Force (IAF) is to receive 40 Tejas mkI aircraft, with two due to be induction-ready by March 2012, Indian Defence Minister AK Antony has said.

Press Trust of India quoted the defence minister as saying that out of the 40 aircraft ordered by the IAF, 20 were ordered under initial operational clearance standards, while the rest were requisitioned as per final operational clearance (FOC) standards.

“Initial operational clearance for light combat aircraft (LCA) Tejas was completed in December 2010. So far, 1,659 flight tests have been completed,” Antony added.

The IAF has earmarked a total of $1.3bn for the development of the indigenous LCA programme, he added.