Four Light Combat Tejas aircrafts to flypast on Republic Day

By Mayank Singh New Delhi (India), Jan. 23 (ANI): Republic Day Fly-past will be a memorable day for the people all across the country for they will be witnessing for the first time the indigenously built Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) 'Tejas' flying past along the Rajpath. Sources informed ANI that this time four LCA Tejas are going to be part of the Republic Day flypast to be performed by the Indian Air Force (IAF). "Four Aircraft are going to be part of the flypast on this republic day. While three will be flying the 'Vic' formation the fourth will be kept airborne as a stand-by," a senior officer involved in the preparations told ANI. This is after a long gap of 22 years that an indigenously developed aircraft will become part of the fleet of the 35 aircraft performing flypast on Republic Day. Talking about Tejas' participation in the Republic Day Flypast, Air Commodore Rajiva Ranjan, Principal Director, Air Defence and Weapons System had earlier SAID, "First time after a gap of almost 20 to 22 years you are going to see an indigenous fighter aircraft after a long break. Earlier we have flown the Maruts." Tejas has been inducted in 45 Squadron christened as the 'Flying Daggers' currently based at Bangalore. Tejas is the first fly-by-wire fighter aircraft designed, developed and manufactured in India. The Aeronautical development Agency (ADA) has designed and developed and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has produced it. 'Tejas' is the first advance Fly by Wire (FBW) fighter aircraft designed, developed and manufactured in India. The aircraft has been designed and developed by Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and produced by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). LCA by now has clocked 2000 hrs till date in its 3000 sorties and without any accident. The induction of Tejas into the Indian Air Force is being done in a phased manner. Flypast remains one of the major attractions when the IAF fighter pilots showcase their skill and perform thrilling maneuvers. 35 Aircraft will be participating in the flypast this year which will include combat aircraft like the Jaguars, SU 30, and LCA Tejas. There will be MI 35 and MI17 V5 along with the Light Combat Helicopter Rudra and LCH Dhruv. C17 Globemaster and the C130J Hercules will be the transport aircraft flying past in various formations along the Rajpath. (ANI)