Article Posted on : - Jan 24, 2010

Tejas LCA. A File Photo.

BANGALORE (PTI): Indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) 'Tejas' would be showcased in the Republic Day parade in New Delhi.

"The prestigious Tejas will be seen for the first time in the Republic Day parade", official sources said.

The two-seater aircraft made its maiden flight from the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) airport here on November 26 last.

The successful flight flew at an altitude of nine km and attained a speed of 0.85 Mach. The prototype was flown by Group Captain Ritu Raj Tyagi of the National Flight Centre along with Project Director (Flight Test) Commodore Rohit Verma.

On December 7, 2009, the Tejas aircraft went past its ultimate speed of 1350 kmph over the skies in Goa after takeoff from the naval air station INS Hansa. This is the fastest speed ever achieved by an Indian- made fighter aircraft.

According to an earlier report, the naval version of the aircraft would be attached to the aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov once the aircraft is inducted for operations. HAL will manufacture 20 LCA for the Air force and another 20 for the Navy.