'Airborne for 15 minutes': HAL successfully completes first flight of Made in India LCA Mark 1A fighter aircraft

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on Thursday successfully completed the first flight of the Made in India light combat aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mark 1A fighter jet in Bengaluru, said HAL officials.

“The aircraft was airborne for 15 minutes during its first flight,” they added.

Tejas Mark 1A is an indigenously designed, developed and manufactured fighter aircraft with more than 65 per cent indigenous components.

According to an India Today report, the fighter aircraft is likely to be deployed at Nal airbase in Rajasthan’s Bikaner near the Pakistan border. The first squadron of aircraft is planned to be deployed at the Nal airbase from where it can take care of the western adversary.

With inputs from agencies