Today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi undertook a remarkable sortie on the Tejas, an indigenous light combat fighter aircraft, at Bengaluru’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited facility. Despite Tejas being a single-seater, the Prime Minister experienced the flight in the twin-seat trainer variant operated by both the Air Force and the Navy.
Expressing his satisfaction, PM Modi shared, “Successfully completed a sortie on the Tejas. The experience was incredibly enriching, significantly bolstering my confidence in our country’s indigenous capabilities, and leaving me with a renewed sense of pride and optimism about our national potential.”
Tejas, a 4.5-generation multi-role fighter, is designed for offensive air support and close combat operations. It stands out as the smallest and lightest in its class, incorporating extensive composite structures for reduced weight. Notably, Tejas boasts an impeccable safety record, having maintained accident-free flying.
Currently, the Indian Air Force operates 40 Tejas MK-1 aircraft, with an additional 83 Tejas MK-1A fighters on order, a deal valued at ₹36,468 crore. Earlier this month, Tejas showcased its prowess at the Dubai Air Show, participating in static and aerial displays, demonstrating its capabilities as a formidable fighter aircraft.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) takes credit for building the LCA Tejas, primarily intended for the Indian Air Force. However, a Naval variant is undergoing testing for Ground Maritime Operations. The home-built fly-by-wire system in Tejas stands out as a key achievement for HAL.
In a significant development, the twin-seater variant was introduced to the Air Force’s repertoire in October, elevating India to a select group of “very few” elite nations with such operational capabilities in their Defense Forces.
