The Indian Air Force (IAF) has deployed its indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) TEJAS on the western front near the Pakistan border.
“The TEJAS was deployed by the Indian Air Force on the western front close to the Pakistan border to take care of any possible action by the adversary there,” government sources told ANI. The first TEJAS squadron, 45 Squadron (Flying Daggers) based out of Sulur under the Southern Air Command, was deployed in an operational role there, the sources said.
The indigenous TEJAS aircraft had been praised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Independence Day speech where he had stated that the deal to buy the TEJAS MK-1A version was expected to be completed soon.
While the initial squadron consists of the Initial Operational Clearance version, the second 18 Squadron ‘Flying Bullets’ operates the Final Operational Clearance version. This version was made operational by the IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria at the Sulur airbase on May 27.
The Indian Air Force, along with the Defence Ministry, is expected to conclude the deal for the purchase of 83 MK-1A TEJAS aircraft by the end of this year. In light of the border tensions with China, the IAF has deployed its assets along both the China and Pakistan borders.
The forward airbases of the IAF have been equipped to handle situations along the western and northern fronts, conducting extensive flying operations recently, including both daytime and night-time operations.