TEJAS,
India’s fighter aircraft logged a new milestone by flying the 500th sortie this
calendar year. It comes close on the heels of the aircraft attaining Initial
Operational Clearance on December 13 from the Indian Air Force.
Avinash
Chander, Scientific Adviser to the Defence Minister described it as the combined
efforts of the development, manufacturing, certification and user agencies in the country. The Light Combat Aircraft, Tejas is now all set to gather
momentum on its path of development and induction into the IAF in 2014.
The development of the aircraft
which has taken over 25 years and suffered several cost and time delays, has
seen a very successful 2013, reaching several significant milestones. The
Aircraft has a level of 65 per cent indigenisation,
is very contemporary and among the best in class, Avinash Chander said.
Tejas has
participated in seven detachments all over country during the year. In addition, in
flight testing of various key manoeuvres and capabilities were tested
successfully, the Defence Research and Development Organisation said.