Article Posted on : - Jan 18, 2016

A file photo.

NEW DELHI (PTI): Making history, India's Light Combat Aircraft Tejas on Sunday touched the foreign soil at Sakhir Airbase, Bahrain where it will take part in International Airshow from January 21 to explore export potential.

"History has been created when Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, indigenously designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), touched the foreign soil at Sakhir Airbase, Bahrain.

"For the first time LCA Tejas flew in foreign airspace to participate in the Bahrain International Airshow-2016 during 21 to 23 January 2016," the ministry said in an statement.

In addition to Tejas, DRDO is also showcasing other indigenously developed defence systems to display the nation s prowess in the area of advanced defence technologies with the aim of exploring the potential for export of defence systems and equipment, it added.

Besides the fighter and naval version of Tejas, India will also showcase state-of-the-art airborne platforms and associated sensors and communication systems designed and developed by DRDO.

During the Bahrain International Airshow, being held at Sakhir Airbase, Bahrain, DRDO along with some of its production partners is displaying India's strength in advanced defence technology areas, with the aim of exploring the potential of exporting these advanced systems to friendly countries in the region, an official statement said.

The show will witness flying demonstration of the 'Tejas', the 'Four plus' generation and highly cost effective fighter aircraft, it added.

The Indian Air Force plans to acquire 120 Tejas aircraft, with 100 of them having major modifications to its strike, radar, and mid air refuelling capabilities. Though the DRDO has developed a naval version of the Tejas, the Navy is seeking a much stronger engine besides other changes.

It would be interesting to see which countries will evince interest in the light combat aircraft since Pakistan has already put out its aircraft JF 17, built in collaboration with China, in the open market.

Team Sarang of the Indian Air Force (IAF) will be showcasing the nation's prowess by flying ALH Dhruv helicopter, designed and developed by HAL during the Airshow.

The other indoor exhibits (scale down models) of DRDO for the Bahrain International Airshow include, anti tank guided missile Nag, Akash surface to air missile system, compact hull mounted sonar, air borne early warning and control system among others.