The Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha flew the indigenously designed and produced light combat aircraft (LCA) Tejas at the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Bengaluru on May 17, 2016.

The Tejas has been designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and produced by HAL at Bengaluru. The aircraft is an advanced fly-by-wire fighter aircraft with state-of-the-art avionics. The aircraft structure comprises of a large amount (more than 50 per cent) of composites and features a quadruplex digital fly-by-wire control system.

The Air Chief Marshal carried out manoeuvres in the entire flying envelope of the aircraft. He carried out simulated air-to-air and air-to-ground attacks. He also assessed the advanced modes of the radar and helmet mounted display (HMD) sight. An ace fighter pilot himself, Air Chief Marshal Raha appreciated the flying qualities of the aircraft. He congratulated the entire team of ADA and HAL for their hard work in getting the LCA programme to this stage.

The series production of the Tejas aircraft has already commenced at HAL Bengaluru and the Indian Air Force intends to form the first squadron of the LCA on July 1, 2016. The IAF has also decided to place an order for an additional 80 Tejas in the advanced LCA MK1A configuration.