In historic flight, the vice chiefs of the Indian Air Force, Army and the Navy on Monday took to the skies in the indigenously manufactured Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas.
Vice Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal AP Singh flew the lead fighter while Vice Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen N.S. Raja Subramani and Vice Chief of the Naval Staff Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan flew in twin-seater aircraft, the defence ministry said in a release.
“Their joint participation in the exercise demonstrates the growing focus on cross-domain cooperation, with land, sea, and air forces working together to face modern challenges,” it said.
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) September 9, 2024
The ministry said the event is also a powerful testament to India's advancing integrated defence capabilities and commitment to self-reliance. It showcases not only their leadership but also the seamless integration of India's armed forces, the statement added.
The flight took place over the skies of Jodhpur wherein Indian Air force has organized the exercise Tarang Shakti 2024, India's first multi-national exercise.
“With an array of participants, the IAF led exercise aims to foster closer ties that strengthen cooperation with a myriad of capacities. Inclusion of Tejas in this mission underscores the critical role indigenous platforms are playing in modernising India's defence infrastructure,” the ministry noted.
The government claims that the flight of the Tejas represents a significant moment for the nation's 'Make in India' initiative. Designed by Aeronautical Design Agency (ADA) and developed and produced by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the Tejas is a state-of-the-art multi-role fighter, designed to meet the needs of India's armed forces while reducing reliance on foreign imports.
Following the sorties, the three vice chiefs interacted with the participating forces both from India and the friendly foreign countries.
