New Delhi: The Prime Minister flew in fighter aircraft Tejas during his visit to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Bengaluru. PM Modi wrote on his social media account Hearty best wishes to the Indian Air Force, DRDO and HAL as well as all Indians.
According to the PMO, he inspected the manufacturing hub of Tejas. Earlier, quoting sources, it was being said that, ‘The Prime Minister will review and visit the manufacturing facility of HAL, which also includes the Tejas jet facility.’
The Indian Air Force had recently issued a tender to government-owned HAL for the purchase of 12 advanced Su-30MKI fighter aircraft.
Tejas aircraft is also included in the major steps taken by the Modi government to increase defense preparedness and indigenization. The first version of the aircraft was inducted into the Air Force in 2016.
Currently, two squadrons of the IAF, 45 Squadron and 18 Squadron are fully operational with LCA Tejas. The Modi government has placed an order worth Rs 36,468 crore to HAL for the delivery of 83 LCA MK 1A aircraft and the delivery is likely to be by February 2024.
Let us tell you that PM Modi is emphasizing on indigenous production of defense products and has highlighted how his government has promoted defense manufacturing in India and their exports. Many countries have agreed to purchase the light combat aircraft Tejas. India has shown interest in India and US defense giant GE Aerospace had signed an agreement with HAL to jointly manufacture engines for MK-II-Tejas during the Prime Minister’s visit to the US.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh had said in April this year that India’s defense exports have reached an all-time high of Rs 15,920 crore in the financial year 2022-2023. He had said that this is a remarkable achievement for the country.
