India's Homegrown Tejas Fighters Arrive In Dubai for Maiden Foreign Air Exercise

In a significant development for India's indigenous defense capabilities, the country's Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas has embarked on its first foreign air exercise.

A contingent of the Indian Air Force (IAF) comprising five LCAs, two C-17 transport aircraft, and 110 personnel has arrived at the United Arab Emirates' (UAE) Al Dahfra airbase to participate in Exercise Desert Flag VIII.

The IAF contingent's arrival in the UAE marks a crucial milestone in India's quest for self-reliance in the defense sector, as the LCA Tejas, which is indigenously designed and manufactured, is set to showcase its capabilities to an international audience.

The exercise, which involves air forces from several countries, will provide a platform for the IAF to learn from its counterparts and enhance its operational preparedness.

The LCA Tejas is a fourth-generation fighter aircraft that has been inducted into the IAF's fleet, and its participation in Exercise Desert Flag VIII is a testament to its capabilities. The aircraft has been designed and developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

The IAF has been actively promoting the LCA Tejas as a viable option for foreign buyers, and its participation in international exercises such as Desert Flag VIII is expected to further enhance its reputation. The aircraft has already received interest from several countries, including Sri Lanka, Egypt, and Malaysia.