India’s Indigenous Aircraft Inducted Into Air Force (VIDEO)

Tejas, which has been in the making for almost 30 years, was inducted into the 45 squadron nicknamed “Flying Daggers.” Initially, two aircraft have been handed over to the IAF by the state-owned manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) along with a trainer. The fighter jet was jointly developed the HAL and the Aeronautical Development Agency.

The remaining 18 aircraft and four trainers – the full strength of the fleet – will be fulfilled by 2018, said the authorities. To start with, the squadron would operate from Bengaluru before it is moved to another southern city of Coimbatore.

The home-grown Tejas, a single-engine supersonic fighter, would replace India’s ageing fleet comprising MiG-21 and MiG-23 planes. Tejas is also equipped with a quadruplex digital fly-by-wire flight control system for the easy maneuverability.

India’s Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar wrote on Twitter: “Moment of national pride. Indigenously developed Tejas fighter jet inducted into Air Force. Tejas will take our air strength to new heights.”

Tejas, whose project actually began in 1985, was originally to be inducted into the Indian forces in 1994 but was repeatedly delayed over the years due to a multitude of factors including flight unworthiness.  The IAF aims to induct as many as 80 aircraft of the second generation Tejas Mk1A, an enhanced version, in the coming years. Foreign countries such as Sri Lanka and Egypt have also expressed a willingness to purchase the fighter jet.