Amid the push for integrated theatre commands of India's armed forces, Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh and Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi, in a display of jointness among the defence forces and support for self-reliance in defence, will fly a sortie in the trainer version of the LCA Tejas fighter aircraft ahead of the biennial air show and aviation exhibition, Aero India, in Bengaluru.
According to news agency ANI, the duo will fly the sortie in the trainer version of homegrown fighter LCA Tejas, manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited at the Yelahanka Air Force Station.
The Army Chief and the Air Force chief are coursemates from the National Defence Academy.
Defence officials said the aim of the exercise is to showcase the support of India's armed forces for 'Made in India' weapon systems.
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Designed by Aeronautical Design Agency (ADA), developed and produced by HAL, LCA 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.
In September 2024, Vice Chiefs of the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force had flown in a Tejas aircraft. 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, the defence ministry had then said, adding that it is a "powerful testament to India's advancing integrated defence capabilities, commitment to self-reliance and showcases not only their leadership but also the seamless integration of India's armed forces."
In 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flew a sortie in Tejast at Bengaluru, becoming the first PM to have flown a fighter aircraft sortie. During the 30-minute sortie, the capabilities of fighter aircraft Tejas were demonstrated to PM Modi.
