Tejas test fires air-to-air BVR missile

The indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas successfully fired an air-to-air beyond visual (BVR) range missile on Friday off the Goan coast.

The successful test firing, which met all operational requirements, demonstrated the overall capability of Tejas as an effective combat jet. It also brings it closer to getting a final operational clearance (FOC). Earlier, Tejas was restricted to deployment of armaments and other missiles.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) had ordered 40 Tejas Mark-1 version and a request for proposal (RFP) was issued to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) by the Indian Air Force (IAF) in December for procurement of another batch of 83 jets at a cost of around Rs 50,000 crore.

Officials said the successful launch of the BVR missile is expected to trigger quick issuance of the FOC to the aircraft developed by state-run HAL and Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

"The LCA successfully fired Derby air-to-air BVR Range missile to expand the firing envelope as well as to demonstrate safe operation of the aircraft," the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.

It said the missile was launched from the LCA piloted by Wing Commander Siddharth Singh from the firing range off the Goa coast after exhaustive study of the missile separation characteristics.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman complimented the DRDO and other agencies involved in making Tejas a world-class aircraft.

The aircraft was tracked by two other Tejas aircraft in close formation to capture the firing event.