The two-seater aircraft, the first trainer version of the Tejas manufactured by HAL, was handed over to the Indian Air Force on October 4.
Wearing an olive green G-suit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flew the indigenous trainer aircraft of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas during his visit to defense manufacturer HAL in Bengaluru on Saturday. The Prime Minister is on a closed visit to HAL’s LCA manufacturing facilities.
This two-seat aircraft is the first trainer version of the Tejas series manufactured by HAL and was handed over to the Indian Air Force on October 4.
After the flight took off from HAL airport and lasted a few minutes, Modi posted on X: “Successfully exited on Tejas. This experience was incredibly enriching, significantly strengthened my belief in our country’s indigenous capabilities and left me with a new sense of pride and optimism about our national potential.
“I can say with great pride that through hard work and dedication, we are second to none in the world in the field of self-reliance. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Indian Air Force, DRDO and HAL and all the people of India,” Modi added.
After the flight, the Prime Minister visited Telangana to campaign for the BJP ahead of the November 30 assembly elections.
HAL handed over the first two-seater LCA Tejas to the IAF on October 4 at an event attended by Defense Minister Ajay Bhatt and Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal VR Chaudhari.
The Union Cabinet has approved the purchase of 73 LCA Tejas Mk-1A fighter aircraft and 10 LCA Tejas Mk-1 trainer aircraft in 2021 at a cost of Rs 45,696 Crore. The IAF plans to buy 97 more LCAs from HAL, taking the total LCAs in inventory to 220, including fighters and single-seat trainers.
“The two-seat LCA Tejas aircraft is a 4.5 generation, multi-role, all-weather light aircraft. It is designed to meet the training needs of the IAF and transform into a fighter aircraft when required,” HAL said about the LCA that the Prime Minister flew.
“It is an amalgamation of modern concepts and technologies such as comfortable static stability, electric quadcopter flight control, worry-free maneuvering, advanced glass cockpit, air-conditioning system,” said HAL. integrated digital avionics and advanced composites for cells”.
The LCA trainer aircraft made its maiden flight six months ago, on April 5 at HAL airport, in a 35-minute flight. Powered by a GE FF404-IN20 turbofan engine, the LCA Tejas training aircraft is 13.2 m long, 8.2 m wide and 4.4 m high. Its maximum takeoff weight is 13,500 kg and its service ceiling (maximum usable altitude) is 50,000 feet.
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