In a notable display of confidence in India’s indigenous defence capabilities, Prime Minister Narendra Modi undertook a sortie on a Tejas aircraft at the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) site in Bengaluru. The prime minister shared his sentiments on the experience, stating, “We 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.”
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. pic.twitter.com/4aO6Wf9XYO
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 25, 2023
The sortie was part of the prime minister’s visit to review HAL’s manufacturing facilities, including those dedicated to the Tejas jets. Narendra Modi has been a vocal advocate for enhancing indigenous defence production, and the Tejas aircraft stands as a prominent example of India’s prowess in this domain.
According to Defense Minister Rajnath Singh earlier this year, India’s defence exports reached a historic high of 15,920 crore in fiscal year 2022-2023. The Tejas aircraft has sparked international interest, with several countries expressing interest in purchasing it. During Modi’s state visit to the United States, GE Aerospace inked an agreement with HAL to collaboratively produce engines for the Mk-II version of the Tejas.
Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, the Chief of Air Staff, revealed in October that the Indian Air Force is nearing the end of a Rs.1.15 lakh crore deal to acquire an additional batch of 97 Tejas Mark-1A aircraft. This move, along with the upgrade of 84 Sukhoi-30MKI jets at a cost of 60,000 crore, demonstrates India’s commitment to improving its air defence capabilities.
The Tejas aircraft, a single-engine multi-role fighter, is designed to operate effectively in high-threat air environments. Its capabilities span air defence, maritime reconnaissance, and strike roles, reflecting India’s strides in advancing its aerial capabilities. The prime minister’s sortie not only showcased the technological prowess of the Tejas but also symbolized the nation’s dedication to self-reliance in defence production.