Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Historic Tejas Jet Flight

November 27, 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi achieved a historic milestone recently as he completed a sortie in the supersonic multirole fighter jet Tejas. This makes him the first head of government to undertake such a feat, marking a significant moment for India’s indigenous defense capabilities.

Incredible Experience and Confidence Boost

Modi expressed his experience as “incredibly enriching and significantly bolstering my confidence in our country’s indigenous capabilities.” The sortie, lasting 30 minutes, took place from the Aircraft Systems Testing Establishment in Bengaluru, as reported by the Defence Ministry.

Tejas: India’s Indigenous Multirole Fighter Jet

Tejas is a twin-seat fighter aircraft, the first to be entirely designed, developed, and manufactured in India. It boasts capabilities for offensive air support and ground attack roles, being deemed “quite superior” to its contemporaries by the Ministry of Defence.

Induction and Future Deliveries

The Indian Air Force (IAF) inducted the first version of Tejas in 2016. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the Bengaluru-based Defence PSU, is set to start delivering the LCA Mk 1A aircraft to the IAF in February 2024, fulfilling a substantial order for 83 jets valued at Rs 36,468 crore.

Expansion of Production Lines

HAL has established two production lines of LCA Tejas in Bengaluru, capable of producing up to 16 aircraft per year. Another production line is being set up in Nashik, scheduled to start production in 2024-25, with the goal of producing 24 or more aircraft.

Investment in LCA Mk 2 Development

The Ministry of Defence has allocated over Rs 9,000 crore for the development of LCA Mk 2, an upgraded and more potent version of LCA Tejas. In the foreseeable future, Tejas is expected to become the largest fleet of fighter aircraft operated by the IAF.

Current Operational Status

Two squadrons of the IAF, namely 45 Squadron and 18 Squadron, are fully operational with LCA Tejas. The aircraft is making significant contributions to India’s defense capabilities, showcasing the country’s commitment to indigenous defense production.

Visit to Production Facilities

During his visit to Bengaluru, Prime Minister Modi toured the Tejas production facilities. He was also shown various indigenous helicopters, including the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand, Advanced Light Helicopter-WSI Rudra, and Light Utility Helicopters, reflecting India’s progress in aeronautical technology.

Prachand: Meeting Defense Needs

Prachand, capable of flying up to 6 km altitude, has been deployed with the Army and IAF. There is an additional requirement for 156 such helicopters from the defense forces, indicating the success and demand for indigenous defense solutions produced by HAL.

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