Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Lauds HAL-Built Tejas, Says 'Indian Aircraft Better Than China-Pakistan's JF-17'

New Delhi, February 23: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday praised the indigenously built Light Combat Aircraft-Tejas. Sitharaman said that the Tejas combat Aircraft is better than the China-Pakistan Joint venture JF-17 fighter jet. The defence minister also termed the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)-built aircraft to be at par with Swedish Saab Gripen fighter plane. The defence minister’s statements come just days after the Indian Air Force (IAF) chief Air Chief Marshal BD Dhanoa agreed that the aircraft was combat ready. Aero India 2019: General Bipin Rawat Takes Sortie in HAL-Made Tejas, Calls It 'A Wonderful Aircraft'.

On the opening day of the Aero India Show 2019, the aircraft received its final operational clearance (FOC) from military aviation regulator Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (Cemilac) for induction into the Indian Air Force (IAF) as a weaponised fighter jet in its operational fleet. The FOC Certificate and Release to Service Document (RSD) were handed over to the IAF chief. Aero India 2019: US’ Lockheed Martin Bids for F-21 Fighter Jets for IAF Under ‘Make in India’ Programme.

FOC involves the addition of key capabilities to the Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) aircraft which are Beyond Visual Range Missile capabilities. Air-to-Air Refuelling, Air-to-Ground FOC earmarked weapons and general flight envelope expansion. Till now only 10 Tejas aircraft are in operation in the force.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 23, 2019 10:02 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).