Historic Flight by Vice Chiefs of Army, Navy, and Air Force in Tejas Jet
The Vice Chiefs of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force made history by flying in the indigenously manufactured Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas. Air Marshal AP Singh, Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani, and Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan participated in the flight over Jodhpur during the IAF’s Tarang Shakti 2024 exercise.
The Indian Air Force stated, “Their joint participation in the exercise demonstrates the growing focus on cross-domain cooperation, with land, sea, and air forces working together to face modern challenges. This unprecedented joint flight, marking the first time when the three services Vice Chiefs have flown in one occasion, is a powerful testament to India’s advancing integrated defence capabilities, commitment to self-reliance, and showcases not only their leadership but also the seamless integration of India’s armed forces.”
The flight took place over the skies of Jodhpur, where the Indian Air Force organized the exercise Tarang Shakti 2024, India’s first multi-national exercise. The inclusion of Tejas in this mission underscores the critical role indigenous platforms are playing in modernizing India’s defence infrastructure.
The Tejas, designed by the Aeronautical Design Agency (ADA) and developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), is a state-of-the-art multi-role fighter designed to meet the needs of India’s armed forces while reducing reliance on foreign imports. This event represents a significant moment for the nation’s ‘Make in India’ initiative.
This opportunity was also utilized by the three Vice Chiefs to interact with the participating forces, both from India and Friendly Foreign Countries (FFCs).
Doubts Revealed
Vice Chiefs -: Vice Chiefs are the second-in-command officers in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. They help the main chiefs in running these big organizations.
Tejas Jet -: Tejas Jet is a small, fast airplane made in India for fighting in the air. It is called a Light Combat Aircraft (LCA).
Indigenously manufactured -: Indigenously manufactured means something that is made in our own country, India, instead of buying it from other countries.
Air Marshal AP Singh -: Air Marshal AP Singh is a high-ranking officer in the Indian Air Force. He helps lead the Air Force.
Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani -: Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani is a high-ranking officer in the Indian Army. He helps lead the Army.
Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan -: Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan is a high-ranking officer in the Indian Navy. He helps lead the Navy.
Jodhpur -: Jodhpur is a city in the state of Rajasthan, India. It is known for its beautiful palaces and forts.
IAF -: IAF stands for Indian Air Force. It is the part of India’s military that fights in the sky.
Tarang Shakti 2024 -: Tarang Shakti 2024 is a big exercise or practice event by the Indian Air Force to make sure they are ready for any situation.
Integrated defence capabilities -: Integrated defence capabilities mean that the Army, Navy, and Air Force work together smoothly to protect the country.
Defence infrastructure -: Defence infrastructure includes all the buildings, equipment, and technology that help the military protect the country.
