Historic Tejas Sortie: IAF and Army Chiefs Take Joint Flight at Aero India 2025

Military Synergy on Display
Faith in home grown fighter reiterated

By Sangeeta Saxena

Bangalore. 10 February 2025. This was a sortie with a difference which created history in Bangalore skies , a day before Aero India 2025. Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh and Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi jointly flew the trainer version of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas at Air Force Station, Yelahanka, Bengaluru. This marked the first time two serving chiefs of the Indian armed forces have flown together in an indigenous fighter jet, symbolizing growing military synergy and confidence in homegrown defence technology.

The momentous flight signifies a new level of integration between the Indian Army and Air Force, reinforcing their commitment to joint operations and defence modernization. The two military leaders—former course mates from the National Defence Academy (NDA)—took off in the twin-seat LCA Tejas trainer, demonstrating the growing confidence in India’s homegrown aerospace technology and was a testament to India’s aerospace prowess.

Tejas Mk-1, developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) under the ‘Make in India’ initiative, is a 4.5-generation multi-role fighter aircraft known for its superior agility, advanced avionics, and state-of-the-art radar and weapon systems. The aircraft’s induction into the IAF’s No. 45 Squadron ‘Flying Daggers’ and No. 18 Squadron ‘Flying Bullets’ has strengthened India’s self-reliance in combat aviation.

During the 30-minute sortie, the chiefs experienced Tejas’ high-G maneuvers, supersonic speeds, and advanced digital fly-by-wire controls, reaffirming its capability as a modern warfighter. General Upendra Dwivedi, exhilarated after the flight, called it “the best moment of my life.” He jokingly remarked, “If I had met Air Chief Marshal Singh earlier, I might have joined the Air Force as a fighter pilot.”

This historic flight reiterated the growing collaboration between the Indian Army and Air Force in tackling modern warfare challenges. It also reflects India’s commitment to enhancing joint operations, training, and interoperability between its defence forces. By flying together, the service chiefs sent a strong message to global defence partners, showcasing India’s indigenous military aviation capabilities and its ambition to become a leading exporter of fighter aircraft. The flight also set the tone for Aero India 2025, highlighting the government’s push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

It may be recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi flew in a Tejas Mk-1, showcasing the government’s confidence in indigenous technology in November 2023 and the late General Bipin Rawat, then Chief of Army Staff and later India’s first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), also took a Tejas sortie at Aero India 2019.

Countries such as Argentina, Egypt, and Malaysia have expressed interest in procuring the Tejas, reinforcing its export potential and this flight when the city was teeming with ministry of defence delegations of so many countries, would sure have made many more countries think of Tejas as an option which is set to expand with upcoming variants. Tejas Mk-1A – Enhanced with superior avionics, better radar, and advanced weapons systems, set for induction in 2025. Tejas Mk-2 – A larger, more powerful version with increased payload capacity, targeting deployment by 2030.

The joint flight of IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh and Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi in the Tejas trainer aircraft at Aero India 2025 is a defining moment in India’s aerospace journey. It not only reinforces the IAF-Army camaraderie but also sends a clear message of India’s defence self-sufficiency to the world. As India progresses towards becoming a global leader in military aviation technology, moments like these inspire confidence in homegrown capabilities, paving the way for a stronger, self-reliant future in defence and security.

The sortie, which lasted for a brief yet eventful duration, showcased the capabilities of the LCA Tejas, developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) under the ‘Make in India’ initiative. The event also reflected India’s commitment to self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh piloted the Tejas Mk-1 trainer, while General Upendra Dwivedi took the co-pilot seat. The two top military leaders, who share a long-standing bond as former National Defence Academy (NDA) coursemates, took off together in a symbolic demonstration of joint force cooperation and integration between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Indian Army.

Speaking after the flight, General Dwivedi expressed his excitement and admiration for the IAF pilots, calling the sortie one of the most memorable moments of his career. He jokingly remarked, “Had I met Air Chief Marshal Singh earlier, I would have opted for the Air Force and become a fighter pilot myself!” The Army Chief also praised Tejas’ performance and acknowledged the challenges that fighter pilots take on daily basis.

The Tejas Mk-1, India’s first indigenous fourth-generation light combat aircraft, is equipped with advanced avionics, precision-guided weaponry, and electronic warfare systems, making it a formidable asset in modern aerial warfare. With future upgrades like Tejas Mk-1A and Tejas Mk-2, India aims to expand its indigenous fighter fleet while reducing dependence on foreign aircraft.

The historic flight of India’s top military chiefs aboard the LCA Tejas at Aero India 2025 highlighted India’s growing defence aviation capabilities and the strengthening collaboration between the armed forces. It set a strong precedent for the importance of joint military operations and reaffirmed India’s commitment to self-reliance in aerospace technology.

As Aero India 2025 continues to showcase India’s advancements in aviation and defence, the Tejas sortie has become a defining moment, symbolizing India’s confidence in its homegrown fighter aircraft. The event reinforced HAL’s role in shaping India’s aerospace future and demonstrated the IAF and Army’s shared vision for a stronger, more self-sufficient military.