LCA Tejas inducted into Indian Air Force

July 1, 2016

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has expressed pride and happiness over the induction of Tejas fighter jet into the Air Force. Prime Minister also lauded Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) on the induction of Tejas.

“Induction of indigenously made Tejas fighter jet into the Air Force fills our hearts with unparalleled pride and happiness.

I laud HAL and ADA on the induction of Tejas fighter jet. This illustrates our skills and strengths to enhance indigenous defence manufacturing”, the Prime Minister said.

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The indigenization efforts received a shot in the arm today when the Made in India Light Combat Aircraft Tejas was inducted into Indian Air Force in Bengaluru today. It was a proud moment as Indian Air Force inducted its first indigenously designed and manufactured fly by wire fighter aircraft, ‘Tejas’.

The first squadron named as ‘Flying Daggers’ was formed when Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Southern Air Command, Air Marshal Jasbir Walia,, handed over two aircrafts to Group Captain Madhav Rangacharya, the commanding officer of ‘Tejas’. Tejas is a single-engine multi-role fighter jet, pegged to be world’s smallest and lightest supersonic fighter.

Defence Aviation major Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has commenced the initial serial production of ‘Tejas’ with plans to supply six aircraft to IAF this year and eight next year. The squadron is expected to reach full strength of 20 aircrafts by 2020. The squadron will be based in Bengaluru for the first two years before being moved to Sulur airbase in Tamil Nadu.

The Indian Air Force has contracted 20 ‘Tejas’ aircraft in the Initial operational Clearance configuration and 20 in the Final operational Clearance configuration. Tejas will be an alternative combat aircraft that will replace the ageing MiG 21 series in Indian Air Force.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said induction of indigenously made Tejas fighter jet into the Air Force is a matter of unparalleled pride and happiness for the country. In a tweet, Mr Modi lauded Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Aeronautical Development Agency on the induction of Tejas fighter jet. The Prime Minister said, this illustrates skills and strengths to enhance indigenous defence manufacturing.