Prime Minister Narendra Modi soared through the skies on a Tejas aircraft during his visit to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Bengaluru, Karnataka, showcasing his confidence in India's indigenous aviation prowess.
Sharing his exhilarating experience, Modi expressed, "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."
Apart from his flight, the Prime Minister had a comprehensive agenda that included inspecting HAL's manufacturing facilities, particularly those dedicated to Tejas jets.
Modi's emphasis on bolstering indigenous defence production aligns with his government's strategy, emphasizing the augmentation of manufacturing within India and boosting exports. Notably, during his visit to the US, a landmark agreement between HAL and GE Aerospace was forged for the joint production of engines for the Mk-II-Tejas, attracting interest from several nations for the advanced light combat aircraft.
Under Modi's leadership, substantial strides have been taken in enhancing India's defence preparedness and indigenisation, with the induction of the first version of Tejas into the Indian Air Force (IAF) in 2016. Presently, two IAF squadrons, 45 Squadron and 18 Squadron, are fully operational with LCA Tejas.
Highlighting the significant steps taken, sources confirmed an order worth ₹36,468 crore for the delivery of 83 LCA Mk 1A aircraft from HAL, scheduled to commence by February 2024. Additionally, substantial funds have been allocated for the development of LCA Mk 2, an advanced iteration of the Tejas aircraft, further emphasizing the commitment to indigenous advancements.
Efforts to promote indigenisation extend to the manufacturing of the aircraft engine, evident in negotiations with GE during the Prime Minister’s visit to the US in June 2023, showcasing the commitment to technological transfer and local production.
Furthermore, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted India's remarkable achievement in defence exports, reaching an all-time high of ₹15,920 crore in FY 2022-2023.
The Indian Air Force is in the process of finalizing procurement deals for an additional batch of 97 Tejas Mark-1A aircraft and the upgrade of 84 Sukhoi-30MKI jets, amounting to substantial investments in indigenous aircraft and bolstering the nation's aerial capabilities.
Looking forward, plans for the Tejas Mark2 aircraft are underway, expected to take its inaugural flight by 2025. Tejas, a single-engine multi-role fighter, holds strategic significance in its capabilities to operate in high-threat air environments, fulfilling roles in air defense, maritime reconnaissance, and strikes.
