In a significant display of confidence in India’s indigenous aerospace capabilities, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to the skies on Saturday aboard the Tejas aircraft at the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) site in Bengaluru, Karnataka. Modi’s sortie not only marked a personal milestone but also highlighted the strides India has made in the field of self-reliance in defence.
Sharing his thoughts on the experience, Modi wrote on social media, “Successfully completed a sortie on the Tejas. The encounter proved highly enriching, notably reinforcing my belief in our nation’s self-reliant capabilities and instilling a fresh wave of pride and optimism for our country’s potential.” Accompanying his words were snapshots capturing the Prime Minister’s journey aboard the Tejas.
The Prime Minister’s visit to HAL included a comprehensive review of the manufacturing facility, with a particular focus on the production of Tejas jets. This reaffirms the government’s commitment to promoting indigenous defence manufacturing and showcasing the advancements made by Indian aviation engineers and technicians.
Recent developments in India’s defence landscape include the Indian Air Force’s issuance of a tender to HAL for the acquisition of 12 advanced Su-30MKI fighter jets. Defence sources indicate that the HAL, in collaboration with Russian original equipment manufacturers, will undertake the manufacturing of these jets in India. The state-owned company is expected to respond to the tender next month, providing detailed project plans and specifications.
The Prime Minister’s sortie on the Tejas comes at a time when India’s defence exports have reached an all-time high of ₹15,920 crore in FY 2022-2023, a significant achievement highlighted by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in April. This surge in exports underscores India’s growing prowess in the global defence market.
Moreover, the Tejas, a light combat aircraft, has garnered attention on the international stage, with several countries expressing interest in its procurement. During the Prime Minister’s state visit to the United States, a partnership agreement was inked between HAL and US defence giant GE Aerospace for the joint production of engines for the Mk-II-Tejas.
Prime Minister Modi’s emphasis on indigenous defence production aligns with the government’s broader vision of making India self-reliant in the defence sector. The Tejas sortie symbolizes not only a personal milestone for Modi but also a testament to India’s capabilities in designing and manufacturing advanced aerospace technology.
