IAF inducts two Tejas fighters into 45 Squadron

Bengaluru, July 1 The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Friday inducted two Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) into its 'Flying Daggers' 45 Squadron here.

Southern Air Command Air Officer Commanding-in Chief Air Marshal Jasbir Walia received the certified documents of the indigenous fighters from state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) Chairman T. Suvarna Raju at a function here.

IAF test pilot and commanding officer of 'Flying Daggers' Group Captain Madhav Rangachari flew one of the multi-role aircraft for about 10 minutes from the Aircraft System Testing Establishment of the air force under a cloudy sky and windy conditions.

The only of its kind fighter in the world, the 'Made in India' Tejas has been designed and developed by state-run Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and built by HAL at its Bengaluru complex in the city's eastern suburb,

Prior to its induction, the fourth generation-plus advanced fly-by-wire fighter has flown about 3,000 sorties for 2,000 hours till date without a single mishap.

Equipped with the latest satellite-aided inertial navigation system, the tandem twin-seater supersonic aircraft has a digital computer-based attack system and an autopilot.

The fighter is capable of carrying four tonnes of weapons and firing air-to-air missiles and precision-guided munitions like laser-guided bombs.

The LCA is also equipped with helmet-mounted display and has a distinctive 'glass cockpit' in which information is displayed real-time to the pilot.