The first squadron of the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas was inducted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) on July 1.
The first squadron of the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas was inducted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) on July 1.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) handed over the first two Tejas aircraft to the IAF, after nearly 3 decades. The induction ceremony took place at the Aircraft System Testing Establishment, Bengaluru in the presence of Air Marshal Jasbir Walia, Air Officer Commanding-in Chief, Southern Air Command, with a set of religious ceremonies and a test flight of the new inductee.
Here are a few glimpses from the induction ceremony.
1. Pilot getting into newly inducted LCA Tejas
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The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas has been inducted into the No. 45 ‘Flying Daggers’ Squadron of the IAF. Image credit: Press Information Bureau
2. LCA Tejas ready for take off
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This is the first fighter squadron to be part of the Southern Air Command of IAF, which is headquartered at Thiruvananthapuram. It will operate from Bengaluru for nearly two years before it moves to its designated location at Sulur near Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu. Image credit: Press Information Bureau
3. View of LCA Tejas at the induction ceremony
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LCA Tejas is the first advance Fly-by-wire (FBW) fighter aircraft designed, developed and manufactured in India. Image credit: Press Information Bureau
4. LCA Tejas set for its post-induction flight
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5. Close-up of LCA Tejas cockpit and pilot
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The inaugural flight of the LCA was flown by Group Captain Madhav Rangachari, Commanding Officer of Flying Daggers, an alumnus of the National Defence Academy. Image credit: Press Information Bureau
6. A glimpse of Tejas in the sky
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Tejas is a 4th plus generation aircraft with a glass cockpit and is equipped with a satellite aided inertial navigation system. It has a digital computer based attack system and an autopilot. It can fire air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles as well as precision guided weapons. Image credit: Press Information Bureau
7. Tejas during a previous trial run
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The LCA has flown more than 3000 sorties (2000 hours) till date without any accident. Image Credit: tejas.gov.in
