New Delhi [India]: In a strong display of jointness between the Indian defence forces and support for indigenous military capabilities, Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh and Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi will fly a sortie in the trainer version of the LCA Tejas fighter aircraft at the Air Force Station in Yelahanka, Bengaluru, on Sunday.
Both chiefs, who were course mates at the National Defence Academy, will take part in the sortie a day before the commencement of the Aero India air show in Bengaluru. Defence officials told media that this initiative aims to highlight the commitment of the Indian armed forces to promoting domestically developed weapon systems under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
Showcasing Indigenous Capabilities
The LCA Tejas aircraft to be used for the sortie is a trainer version of the indigenously developed jet, manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and designed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also undertaken a sortie in the LCA Tejas in November 2023. Following the flight, he expressed his confidence in India’s indigenous defence capabilities.
“Successfully completed a sortie on the Tejas. The experience was incredibly enriching, significantly bolstering my confidence in our country’s indigenous capabilities, leaving me with a renewed sense of pride and optimism about our national potential,” PM Modi had posted on X.
Expansion Plans for LCA Tejas
The Indian Air Force has already inducted around 40 LCA Tejas jets and is set to acquire 83 more LCA Mark 1A aircraft in the near future. However, delays in supply chain components from US-based engine manufacturer GE have slightly postponed the aircraft deliveries.
Additionally, the Indian Air Force is considering procuring another 97 LCA Tejas aircraft as a follow-up order to further strengthen its fleet.
The participation of the Army and Air Force Chiefs in this event underscores India’s growing emphasis on self-reliance in defence technology and indigenous manufacturing.