PM Modi Completes Sortie on IAF Multirole Fighter Jet Tejas

PM Narendra Modi Completes Sortie on IAF Multirole Fighter Jet Tejas

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi successfully completed a sortie on the Indian Air Force’s multirole fighter jet, Tejas, at the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) site in Bengaluru, Karnataka, on November 25th.

PM Narendra Modi Shared His Experience on X

“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.”
Source: X (Twitter)

Multirole Fighter Jet Tejas

The Tejas, meaning “radiance” in Sanskrit, is a single-engine, light multirole fighter jet designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) in collaboration with the Aircraft Research and Design Centre (ARDC) of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy. It is the smallest and lightest in its class of contemporary supersonic combat aircraft.

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Development and Specifications

The development of the Tejas began in the 1980s as part of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) program, which aimed to replace India’s aging MiG-21 fighters. The first prototype of the Tejas was rolled out in 2001, and the first flight took place on January 4, 2001.

The Tejas is a tailless, compound delta-wing aircraft with a fly-by-wire control system. It is powered by a single General Electric F404-GE-IN20 turbofan engine, which gives it a maximum speed of Mach 1.6 and a service ceiling of 50,000 feet. The Tejas is equipped with a variety of weapons, including air-to-air missiles, air-to-surface missiles, and a 23mm cannon.

Operational Use

The Tejas was inducted into the Indian Air Force in 2016. As of 2023, the Indian Air Force has 63 Tejas aircraft in service, with plans to acquire more. The Indian Navy is also developing a naval variant of the Tejas, which is expected to be inducted into service in the mid-2020s.

Significance of the Tejas

The LCA Tejas is a significant achievement for India’s aerospace industry. It is the first domestically developed supersonic combat aircraft to be inducted into the Indian Air Force. The Tejas is a testament to India’s growing capabilities in aerospace technology. It is expected to play a key role in India’s defense for many years to come.

Shubham Mittal

Shubham Mittal is a renowned current affairs writer and expert in government exam preparation, inspiring readers with insightful articles and guiding aspirants with his expertise.

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