Pm Modi took to skies in tajas aircraft , the indigenous developed light combot aircraft

 Pm Modi took to skies in Tejas aircraft 

Pm Modi in Tejas aircraft 

PM Modi is the first Prime Minister of India to fly in the Tejas, a light combat aircraft (LCA) that is indigenously designed and developed by India 

PM Modi has shown his commitment and vision for making India a self-reliant and strong nation in the field of defence and aerospace. He has also expressed his pride and confidence in the Tejas, which is a symbol of India’s indigenous innovation and excellence. 

The Tejas aircraft is an indigenous light combat aircraft developed by India for its air force and navy. It is a single-engine, delta wing, multirole fighter that can perform air-to-air, air-to-ground, and air-to-sea missions. It is also the smallest and lightest supersonic fighter in its class. 

The Tejas aircraft was designed to replace the ageing MiG-21 fighters that had been the mainstay of the Indian Air Force since 1963. The project was initiated in 1983 by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The first flight of the Tejas took place in 2001, and the aircraft achieved initial operational clearance in 2011 and final operational clearance in 2019. The first Tejas squadron became operational in 2016. 

The Tejas aircraft has a glass cockpit with a head-up display, multi-function displays, and a get-you-home panel. It also has a fly-by-wire flight control system, a digital avionics suite, and an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar. The aircraft can carry a variety of weapons, including beyond visual range (BVR) missiles, air-to-air missiles, air-to-surface missiles, anti-ship missiles, bombs, rockets, and guns. The aircraft can also be equipped with an electronic warfare (EW) suite and an air-to-air refuelling (AAR) probe. ⁵⁶

The Tejas aircraft has several variants, such as the Mark 1, Mark 1A, and Mark 2. The Mark 1 is the basic version that is currently in service with the Indian Air Force. The Mark 1A is an improved version with enhanced capabilities, such as better radar, EW suite, and maintenance. The Mark 1A is expected to be delivered from 2024 onwards. The Mark 2 is a twin-engine version that will have higher thrust, longer range, and more payload. The Mark 2 is expected to be ready for production by 2026. The Tejas aircraft also has a naval variant that can operate from aircraft carriers. The naval variant made its maiden landing on board INS Vikrant, India's first indigenous aircraft carrier, in 2023. 

The Tejas aircraft is a symbol of India's self-reliance and innovation in the field of defence and aerospace. It is also a testament to the collaboration and dedication of various agencies, such as ADA, DRDO, HAL, IAF, IN, and many private and public sector partners. The Tejas aircraft has received praise and recognition from various quarters, including the Prime Minister of India, who flew a sortie on the Tejas aircraft in 2023. ¹²³