WATCH | 'Made in India' LCA Tejas Mark 1A fighter aircraft completes first flight in Bengaluru
Total Views |
Bengaluru, Mar 28: In a significant development, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on Thursday successfully completed the first flight of the Made in India light combat aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mark 1A fighter jet in Bengaluru. The aircraft was airborne for 15 minutes during its first flight
"First flight of the Made in India indigenous LCA Mark 1A fighter aircraft has been completed in Bengaluru by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited today," the agency quoted HAL officials as saying.
"The aircraft was airborne for 15 minutes during its first flight," the officials added.
Reports suggest that the fighter aircraft is likely to be deployed at Nal airbase in Rajasthan’s Bikaner near the Pakistan border. The first squadron of aircraft is planned to be deployed at the Nal airbase from where it can take care of the western adversary.
HAL is working towards delivering the first twin-seater trainer version aircraft to the IAF at the earliest citing defence sources. The work is on towards meeting the delivery by the end of March 31, according to reports.
Tejas Mark 1A is an indigenously designed, developed and manufactured fighter aircraft with more than 65 per cent indigenous components.
It is important to note that the IAF has already signed a contract worth over Rs 48,000 crore with the HAL for supplying 83 LCA planes. The IAF has clearance to buy 97 more LCA Mark 1A fighter jets at Rs 65,000 crore.
In 2016, the LCA Mark 1 aircraft were inducted into the IAF. The Indian Air Force has two of their squadrons (45 Squadron and 18 Squadron) having the light combat aircraft Tejas.
Terming the LCA) Tejas Mark 1A fighter jet clearance a "landmark event" the IAF chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari said, "We already had 40 LCAs of the original IOC and FOC version. So with this, in the long run, the strength of the Indian Air Force will grow to 220 LCA mark 1As, which will equip almost ten squadrons of the Air Force."
"The aircraft was airborne for 15 minutes during its first flight," the officials added.
Reports suggest that the fighter aircraft is likely to be deployed at Nal airbase in Rajasthan’s Bikaner near the Pakistan border. The first squadron of aircraft is planned to be deployed at the Nal airbase from where it can take care of the western adversary.
HAL is working towards delivering the first twin-seater trainer version aircraft to the IAF at the earliest citing defence sources. The work is on towards meeting the delivery by the end of March 31, according to reports.
The first Aircraft LA5033 of the Tejas Mk1A Aircraft series took to the skies from HAL facility in Bengaluru today. It was a successful sortie with a flying time of 18 minutes. pic.twitter.com/a3soPW46X1
— HAL (@HALHQBLR) March 28, 2024
#India touching new glories in skies!
— Satya Kumar Yadav (Modi Ka Parivar) (@satyakumar_y) March 28, 2024
Much awaited 'Made in India' 4.5 Gen aircraft Tejas MK-1A successfully conducts flight test in Bengaluru.
Another big leap towards #AatmanirbharBharat under the able leadership of Hon'ble PM Shri @narendramodi ji. pic.twitter.com/NfFe3DA8az
What is Tejas Mark 1A?
Tejas Mark 1A is an indigenously designed, developed and manufactured fighter aircraft with more than 65 per cent indigenous components.
It is important to note that the IAF has already signed a contract worth over Rs 48,000 crore with the HAL for supplying 83 LCA planes. The IAF has clearance to buy 97 more LCA Mark 1A fighter jets at Rs 65,000 crore.
In 2016, the LCA Mark 1 aircraft were inducted into the IAF. The Indian Air Force has two of their squadrons (45 Squadron and 18 Squadron) having the light combat aircraft Tejas.
Terming the LCA) Tejas Mark 1A fighter jet clearance a "landmark event" the IAF chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari said, "We already had 40 LCAs of the original IOC and FOC version. So with this, in the long run, the strength of the Indian Air Force will grow to 220 LCA mark 1As, which will equip almost ten squadrons of the Air Force."