Bengaluru: A day after India’s desi fighter Tejas got its Final Operational Clearance (FOC), Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat took a sortie on the same at Aero India.

As reported by Onmanorama on Thursday morning, General Rawat co-piloted one of the trainer of Tejas at Aero India.

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) officials said that Gen Rawat flew in one of the LCA trainers of Tejas.

The Tejas mainly has two trainers from its flight-line so far - PV-5 and PV-6.

Army sources said that Thursday’s was the first time General Rawat flew in the home-made fighter jet.

Wonderful experience

Speaking to the media soon after his sortie, Gen Rawat said he had a wonderful experience flying Tejas.

“For me, an experience of a lifetime, flying in the LCA Tejas. From what I could witness, the avionics of the plane is very good and the manner in which the radar and other modes work is excellent,” Gen Rawat said after his flight.

“If this aircraft gets added, then it will add to the strength of our armed forces. I could see how the pilot (Air Vice Marshal Tiwari) was able to accurately place target-bombs and rockets," the Army Chief said.

He said all the three forces work together and if the Indian Air Force gets more strength (by adding Tejas to its fleet) then Indian Army too would get the benefit.

Army Chief took to the skies post Noon Thursday, the second day of the Plane Carnival.

Principal Scientific Advisor (PSA) to government of India Prof K Vijaya Raghavan is also slated to fly in the Tejas late in the day.

The organisers say that these two flights will be a great boost to the Tejas project, which was handed over the FOC Wednesday.

Sources confirmed that Air Vice Marshal Tiwari, Programme Director Flight Test and head of National Flight Test Centre (NFTC) Bengaluru, piloted the Tejas that flew the Army Chief.

AVM Tiwaru is an experienced Mirage pilot with over 1500 hours on this aircraft alone. He had earlier commanded the No 1 Sqn of Mirage.

PSA Prof Vijaya Raghavan will be flown by Gp Capt Gunasekharan. He has flown over 30 different types of aircraft including the F-16. He has also commanded a MiG 21 Squadron.

Many senior armed forces officials have co-piloted Tejas in the past in solidarity to the desi project.

Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat addresses during the Army Day Parade in New Delhi on Tuesday. Photo: PTI
Indian Army chief General Bipin Rawat. PTI

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