IAF to induct first squadron of homegrown Tejas today

TIL Desk/National/Bengaluru-The Indian Air Force will raise the first squadron of home-grown Light Combat Aircraft Tejas with the induction of two aircraft into the force today. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited will hand over the first two Tejas aircraft to the IAF which will make up the ‘Flying Daggers’ 45, the first LCA squadron.

The aircraft are likely to perform a sortie during the induction ceremony. The squadron will be based in Bengaluru for the first two years before being moved to Sulur in Tamil Nadu. Tejas will feature in combat plan of the IAF next year and will be deployed in forward bases also, it has said.

Stating that LCA squadron should be formed by July, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had earlier this month said “next year I think two MiG-21 squadrons are being decommissioned; this will go into initially replacing them.”