India's Prime Minister Takes Flight in Tejas Fighter

Following Narendra Modi's visit, fighter jet manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited said it is rededicating itself to fulfilling the country's goals of self-reliance in the defense sector.

Kimberly Johnson

Monday, November 27, 2023 at 03:46 PM ET

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India Prime Minister Narendra Modi completed a sortie in a twin-seat light combat aircraft (LCA) Tejas on Saturday. [Courtesy: Office of Prime Minister of India]

Key Takeaways:

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi flew a sortie in a twin-seat Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, reportedly the first time an Indian PM has flown in a fighter jet.
Following the flight, Modi expressed strong confidence in India's indigenous fighter aircraft manufacturing capabilities and its self-reliance goals in the aerospace and defense sector.
The LCA Tejas, produced by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), is highlighted as a versatile, multirole 4.5 generation fighter designed for combat and training, set to become a mainstay of the Indian Air Force.

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India Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed confidence in the country’s fighter aircraft manufacturing capability after flying a sortie in a twin-seat light combat aircraft (LCA) Tejas on Saturday.

Modi’s flight—reportedly the first for an Indian prime minister in a fighter jet—comes in the wake of the Indian Air Force (IAF) taking delivery of its first LCA Tejas fighter, produced by state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), in October.