Article Posted on : - Nov 10, 2014

Light Combat Aircraft Tejas. Photo: Indian Air Force

NEW DELHI (PTI): The final version of the two-seater (trainer) version of Tejas (PV-6) has made its maiden flight in a milestone for India's overall indigenous Light Combat Aircraft Tejas Programme.

The aircraft took to the skies on 8th November at 13.36 PM and was piloted by Group Captain Vivart Singh along with Group Captain Anoop Kabadwal.

This is the 16th Tejas variant to have flown as part of the project that has been in the pipeline for over two decades.

The PV6 has absorbed all the major design modifications undertaken during the last 2,500-plus flights in the programme.

This is the final prototype and will lead to final production of the trainer aircraft.

The aircraft has a new communication system, radar, EW sensors and new navigation systems for automatic landing.

Dr Avinash Chander, DRDO chief congratulated the Tejas team on achieving the success and said "having achieved success in indigenous design and development of Tejas in both its combat and trainer versions, its production and induction will add a new strength to make-in-India campaign".

Saturday's flight is the culmination of efforts of ADA, HAL, CEMILAC, DG AQA, Indian Air Force and other DRDO & CSIR organisations.

The Light Combat Aircraft Tejas Programme is the biggest project that Defnece Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is working on.

The project, since its inception in 1983, has faced many challenges, largely because of sanctions following India's nuclear test in 1998 and the fact that this is India's first attempt to make a combat aircraft.

IAF has ordered 40 LCA Mk 1 aircraft and is likely to induct five more squadrons of an advanced version of the aircraft being developed by DRDO and HAL.

The aircraft had received initial operational clearance last year and has to get the FOC in next few months before it starts operational flying.