In a landmark event highlighting India’s commitment to self-reliance in defense and the integration of its armed forces, the Vice Chiefs of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force took to the skies in the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas during the multinational exercise “Tarang Shakti 2024” at Jodhpur.
The unprecedented joint sortie not only marked a historic moment in Indian military aviation but also highlighted the nation’s growing prowess in indigenous defense manufacturing.
Air Marshal A.P. Singh of the Indian Air Force led the formation, piloted the single-seat variant of the Tejas, while Lieutenant General N.S. Raja Subramani of the Army and Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan of the Navy flew in the twin-seat trainer version.
The flight was not just a demonstration of the Tejas’s capabilities but also a symbolic gesture of the seamless integration and interoperability among India’s tri-services, a crucial aspect as the country moves towards establishing tri-Service theatre commands.
The exercise “Tarang Shakti,” which commenced on August 29 and runs until mid-september, is designed to enhance operational coordination and interoperability among participating forces from eight nations, with sixteen others observing.
The inclusion of the Tejas in this exercise underscores its significance in modernizing India’s defense infrastructure. Designed by the Aeronautical Design Agency (ADA) and produced by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the Tejas represents India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, aiming to reduce dependence on foreign military hardware.
Following their sortie, the Vice Chiefs were felicitated by the team of the Indian Air Force’s 18 Squadron, known as the “Flying Bullets,” at Jodhpur. The event also provided the occasion for the Vice Chiefs to interact with both Indian and foreign forces, fostering closer military ties and cooperation.
The flight of the Tejas by the Vice Chiefs comes at a time when India is actively promoting its defense exports, showcasing its indigenous capabilities during a defense expo scheduled from September 12 to 14 as part of “Tarang Shakti.”