Air Chief of Staff of the French Air Force General André Lanata flew a sortie in the indigenous fighter plane Tejas at the Jodhpur Air Force Station on Wednesday.

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The chief of the world’s second most powerful air force flew in the Tejas for a 45-minute sortie near the Pakistan border, describing it as as a great and strong fighter plane.

On February 3, General David L Goldfein, Chief of Staff of the US Air Force, flew in India’s indigenous light combat aircraft from the Jodhpur airbase.

The French Air Force chief has come here to test the strategic strength of the Jodhpur airbase. His visit is important in many ways. With the strengthening of military relations between India and France, he has come to observe techniques used by the Indian Air Force. Earlier, during the joint exercise between India and France dubbed Garuda 5 in June 2014, the then Chief of Staff of French Air Force Denis Mercier flew the Sukhoi 30 MKI. French Air Chief General Lanata arrived from Delhi on a special aircraft on Tuesday to Jodhpur. After observing the Jodhpur airbase, he also visited the city. On arrival at the airbase on Wednesday, he was received by Air Force Station Commander Group Captain Rajesh Joshi. Joshi apprised Lanata of the activities of the station. He also gave information about different aircraft of the IAF. After flying a sortie in the Tejas, he also saw squadrons of all the fighter planes, including the Sukhoi. He also visited various operational units of the air force station. Before flying in the Tejas, Group Captain Joshi briefed Lanata about the LCA Tejas. The French Air Force chief also shared his experiences with the pilots.

He is in Jodhpur on a three-day tour. He also visited Mehrangarh Fort along with his wife on Wednesday.