Tejas Takes Flight: IAF Deploys Indigenous Fighter Jet to Kashmir

Tejas, an IAF fighter plane, is sent to Kashmir: Pilots practicing flight in the valley; This area is sensitive due to China-Pakistan border

The Tejas MK-1 light combat aircraft has been stationed at the Awantipora airbase in Jammu and Kashmir by the Indian Air Force (IAF). According to the army, its pilots are honing their skills in the valley.

Kashmir is sensitive in terms of neighboring countries China-Pakistan. The Tejas MK-1 is a multirole light combat aircraft that will further strengthen the Air Force in the jungle and mountainous terrain of Kashmir.

The Indian Air Force currently has 31 Tejas aircraft. The army keeps taking its aircraft to Jammu-Kashmir and Ladakh earlier also so that they get the experience of flying in the Himalayan valleys.

Air Force is also eyeing M2 and AMCA.

The Indian Air Force is strongly supporting the enhancement of the capabilities of Tejas. The Air Force has already approved two of its squadrons for its initial and final operations. And a contract has been signed for 83 Mark 1A. All these 83 aircraft will be given to the army in a year or two.

Although the army is also eyeing the LCA Mark-2 and Advanced Multirole Combat Aircraft AMCA being developed in DRDO. These fighter jets are already more powerful than Pakistani and Chinese JF-17 fighter jets. With the addition of Hammer, this aircraft has become more high class.

Why was there a need for Tejas?

The Indian government intended to replace the MiG-21 after more than 400 of them crashed over the course of the previous 50 years. The MiG-21 was successfully replaced by Tejas. Even on seagoing vessels, it can take off and land with ease because to its low weight. Additionally, it can carry twice as many weapons as a MiG-21. When it comes to speed, Tejas is 300 KMPH faster than Rafale.

Tejas went outside the country for the first time for military exercise.
For the first time in February 2023, the Indian Air Force sent fighter aircraft Tejas out of the country for military exercises. A military exercise called Desert Flag took place in the United Arab Emirates from 27 February to 17 March, in which 5 Light Combat Aircraft Tejas and 2 C-17 were involved from the Indian side.

For the first time, a Tejas fighter aircraft will be sent abroad for a military exercise, with a force from ten different nations taking part.
For the first time, the Indian Air Force has sent fighter aircraft Tejas out of the country for military exercise. The Airforce has given its official information. A senior official told that there will be a military exercise in the United Arab Emirates named Desert Flag from 27 February to 17 March. Five Indian Tejas light combat aircraft and two C-17s will be included.

There will be a military drill involving many nations, including France and Britain.
The Indian Air Force is using Tejas for a military drill for the first time. Additionally, the UAE, France, Kuwait, Australia, Britain, Bahrain, Morocco, Spain, South Korea, and the US air forces will be flying under the desert flag.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee named the aircraft Tejas.

This homegrown fighter jet finally took to the skies of India for the first time in January 2001, after 18 years of laborious development. When all of this was going on, Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the prime minister of the nation. In 2003, Vajpayee gave it the name “Tejas.” While naming Tejas, Prime Minister Vajpayee had said that it is a Sanskrit word, which means ‘glowing’.

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Tejas differs from other fighter jets due to its four characteristics.

The Sukhoi Su-30MKI, Rafale, Miraj, MiG-29, and Tejas are currently the best fighter aircraft in the fleet of the Indian Air Force. Due to these characteristics, Tejas stands out and is unique from the other four fighter jets.

• 50% of the parts of this aircraft ie machinery have been prepared in India only.
• this aircraft has an advanced radar system called the EL/M-2052 from Israel. The result is that Tejas is able to track and engage 10 targets at once.
• Ability to takeoff on a very short runway ie 460 meters runway.
• This fighter jet is the lightest among all four i.e. only 6500 kg.

After all, why did the Airforce need Tejas?

The Indian government intended to replace the MiG-21 after more than 400 of them crashed over the course of the previous 50 years. Tejas was able to take the place of this MiG-21. This aircraft’s light weight makes it possible for it to take off and land even on ships. Additionally, it can carry twice as many weapons as a MiG-21. Talking about speed, Tejas has a speed of 300 kilometers per hour more than Rafale.

1. America intends to purchase India’s fighter plane, the “Tejas,” which will thunder in the skies of the entire world.
   In the 1965 war, 35 fighter jets of India were destroyed in a sudden attack by Pakistani Airforce. Additionally, because fighter jets lack GPS and radar, squadron leader William Green had to land in Pakistan rather than India.
2. 6 squadrons of Tejas Mark-2 will be formed in the Air Force
   The strength of the Air Force will soon expand thanks to the upgraded version of the locally produced Tejas fighter aircraft. Tejas Mark-2, an upgraded variant of the Air Force Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), would be organized into six squadrons, according to Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhary. The Air Force has agreed to purchase the 108 planes needed for them.