Risky sortie? Critics call LCA Tejas flight by air Indian Army, Air Force chiefs 'a great photo op, but violation of rules'

 On Sunday, Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh and Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi scripted history when they flew in the trainer version of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas at the Air Force Station in Yelahanka.

LCA Tejas is a multi-role combat aircraft designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Navy.

The Air Chief Marshal flew Tejas with the Army Chief, which the latter described as the "best moment" in his life.

General Dwivedi said the experience was such that he regretted not opting for the Indian Air Force.

"It was the best moment in my life and as you are aware that the Air Chief Marshal is my course mate. We have been together from the NDA (National Defence Academy) days. I wish he had met me earlier and I would definitely have changed my option to the Air Force. As I have said earlier, also if I had gone to the Air Force, I would have been fighter pilot," General Dwivedi said, adding, "And I must say that from today onwards, the Air Chief Marshal AP Singh is my guru because he made me do lot of roles and other activities while in the sky."

Calling the sortie "a great challenge," the Army Chief said, "I am very much grateful to the IAF and I must admire the kind of a challenge the pilots of the IAF take and it takes a great synergetic approach from all of us and I am sure that it is a good start for the Aero India-2025."

However, not everyone appears to be impressed. Lt General HS Panag (Retired) pointed out that while this is a great photo op, it is in violation of the rules.

“Great photo op, but violation of rules applicable since 1963 for senior officers let alone two Chiefs not to be flying together. The rules were framed when two Lt Gens, one Maj Gen, one AVM and one Brigadier apart from the pilot lost their lives,” he said in a tweet.

On November 22, 1963, an IAF Aérospatiale Alouette III helicopter crashed in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in the death of six officers, including Lieutenant General Daulet Singh, Lieutenant General Bikram Singh, and Air Vice Marshal Erlic Pinto.

Outside the rules also, two chiefs not to travel together is a self-evident risk, a user pointed out.

In corporate speak this is avoided as per BCM standards - Business Continuity Management, he said.