IAF Chief AP Singh completes final sortie in indigenous Tejas fighter

Air Chief Marshal AP Singh flew his final sortie as Chief of Air Staff aboard the Tejas fighter aircraft, the Indian Air Force's indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft. The flight represented a significant moment as Singh completed his command of the service, India's primary aerial defence force.

The aircraft Singh piloted was the LCA Mk-1 variant, the first production model of the Tejas programme. The jet represents a landmark achievement in India's defence manufacturing sector, developed over decades by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

The Tejas has progressively entered operational service with IAF squadrons in recent years, adding to India's indigenous fighter fleet capabilities. The aircraft is designed to replace older fighter jets and provide the IAF with modern combat prowess.

Singh's final flight in the Tejas symbolises the leadership's confidence in India's homegrown defence technology at a time when the country continues to strengthen its military modernisation efforts. The sortie marks both a personal milestone for the outgoing Air Chief and a statement about the nation's progress in aviation technology.