PM Modi’s Thrilling Tejas Flight Marks India’s Aerospace Advancements

On a sunny day in Bengaluru, PM Narendra Modi experienced the thrill of flying in a Tejas aircraft at the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) site. Sharing his excitement and pride, he said, “Completed a sortie on the Tejas. The experience was incredibly enriching, significantly bolstering my confidence in our country’s indigenous capabilities.”

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. pic.twitter.com/4aO6Wf9XYO

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 25, 2023

Under his leadership, the government has placed a substantial order of ₹36,468 crore for 83 LCA Mk 1A aircraft, with deliveries set to begin by February 2024. Reflecting on the achievements, sources mentioned that over ₹9,000 crore has been allocated for the development of the more advanced LCA Mk 2.

In a move to enhance indigenisation, the Prime Minister negotiated the Transfer of Technology for manufacturing the GE engine in India during his visit to the US in June 2023. This step is crucial for promoting self-reliance, including in aircraft engine production.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh celebrated India’s milestone in defence exports, reaching an all-time high of ₹15,920 crore in FY 2022-2023. Highlighting the commitment to strengthen the Air Force, plans include procuring an additional batch of 97 Tejas Mark-1A aircraft and upgrading 84 Sukhoi-30MKI jets.

Air Force Expansion: HAL Deal for 156 Helicopters

The Defence Ministry is also eyeing a contract with HAL next year to acquire 156 light combat helicopters, a significant boost for the Indian Air Force. Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari explained the strategy, saying, “We had signed the contract for 83 LCA-Mark 1As. What we are looking at is now to supplement that contract with 97 additional aircraft. So it will bring the total to about 180 LCA-Mark-1As.”

The Tejas Mark2, anticipated for its first flight in 2025, holds promise for the future. In simple terms, Tejas is not just an aircraft; it’s a symbol of India’s prowess in design and technology. It’s a single-engine multi-role fighter capable of thriving in high-threat air environments, designed for air defence, maritime reconnaissance, and strike missions.

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