After a 33-year long struggle of yes and no, Indian Air Force has finally overcome the odds and inducted the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft into its squadrons. It is a multi-role supersonic single engine jet produced indigenously by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Bangalore. So far, our Air Force was dependent on Mig -21 manufactured by Russia. It had come of age and needed to be replaced. Tejas also called Flying Dagger by the Air Force heroes has replaced it at the end of the day.
The Prime Minister, while congratulating the HAL and the Air Force for bringing in an indigenous light aircraft of great need, has lauded HAL & IAF on the induction of Tejas fighter jet. “This illustrates our skills & strengths to enhance indigenous defence manufacturing.” The Defence Minister has called the occasion “A Moment of National Pride”.
Manufacture of indigenous Tejas gives lie to many myths that have been floated about India’s ability to produce indigenous armament of different variety that is needed to strengthen our defence potential. It is no hidden fact that the country has to spend enormous funds for the purchase of modern weapons from advanced countries. The worst part of this is that generally there is corruption in transacting huge defence deals with big manufacturing companies in foreign countries. We consider the production of Tejas as a milestone in country’s bid of indigenization of manufacture of defence needs. We need to save our precious foreign exchange and utilise that for developmental purposes and upgrading infrastructure.
We give three cheers to the engineers and workers of HAL and related manufacturing units. Our country has very capable technical expertise that, if encouraged and provided facilities and resources, has the capacity to make great innovations to change the entire narrative of providing latest weaponry to our defence organization.
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