Rajnath Singh Flies On Board LCA Tejas From HAL Airport in Bengaluru, Becomes First Defence Minister to Fly On The Light Combat Aircraft; Watch Video

Bengaluru, September 19: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh took a sortie in the indigenously-built Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) from Hindustan Aeronautical Limited (HAL) airport in Bengaluru on Thursday. Air Vice Marshal N Tiwari, Project Director, National Flight Test Centre of Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), accompanied the Defence Minister. Singh has become the first defence minister to fly in this fighter plane. The Defence Minister also controlled the plane for some time. He said that he followed the instructions of Air Vice Marshal Tiwari during the flight. IAF Chief BS Dhanoa, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman Fly Sortie in MiG-21 Fighter Aircraft; Watch Video.

After 30-minute sorties, Singh congratulated the HAL and Defence Research and development Organisation (DRDO). The Defence Minister said, "It was very smooth and comfortable. I was enjoying. I want to congratulate HAL, DRDO and several concerned agencies. We have reached a level where we can export fighter planes across the world." Air Vice Marshal Tiwari said that the aircraft flew close to the speed of sound.

Rajnath Singh's Media Interaction:

During the Aero India Show which was conducted in February this year, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Bipin Rawat also took a sortie in LCA Tejas. After the sortie, Gen Rawat described the fighter jet as a "wonderful aircraft" that would add to the airpower. Ace shuttler PV Sindhu also flew in the indigenously-built aircraft during the show.

Video of Rajnath Singh's Sortie in LCA Tejas:

LCA Tejas received the Final Operational Clearance (FOC) and Release to Service Document (RSD) during the Aero India Show 2019. FOC involves the addition of key capabilities to the Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) aircraft, which are Beyond Visual Range Missile capabilities. The HAL has so far supplied 16 LCAs to the IAF, which has based them at Sulur in Tamil Nadu under 45 Squadron. LCA Tejas Mark II to be Unveiled in 2022 on 75th Independence Day: Reports.

Images of Rajnath Singh With IAF and HAL Officials:

Earlier this month, reports also surfaced that the Indian Air Force (IAF) is expected to place orders worth around Rs 45,000 crore with the HAL to acquire 83 LCA Tejas Mark 1A fighters jets. The tender was issued by the IAF to procure 83 LCA Tejas Mark 1A almost two years ago. However, the project was stuck over the pricing issue as the government and the IAF felt that the price offered by the public sector undertaking was slightly on the higher side. The first LCA Mark 1A aircraft is likely to be produced by 2023 once the HAL supplies the initial 40 planes in the IOC and FOC standards.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 19, 2019 10:32 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).