PM Modi Takes Sortie on Tejas Fighter Jet, Lauds India’s Self-Reliance in Defence Sector

Bengaluru: Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed his confidence in India’s indigenous capabilities as he took a sortie on the Tejas aircraft on Friday. Sharing his experience on X, the PM expressed pride in the successful completion of the flight, emphasizing the enrichment it brought to his understanding of the country’s self-reliance.

Successfully completed a sortie on the Tejas. The experience was incredibly enriching, significantly bolstering my confidence in our country's indigenous capabilities, and leaving me with a renewed sense of pride and optimism about our national potential. pic.twitter.com/4aO6Wf9XYO

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 25, 2023

“Flying in Tejas today, I can confidently assert that our hard work has positioned us as equals in the global arena of self-reliance,” Modi stated. He extended congratulations to the Indian Air Force, DRDO, HAL, and all Indians for their dedication.

During his visit to the city, the Prime Minister visited the manufacturing facilities of Defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, underscoring the government’s commitment to indigenous production of defence products. Modi’s focus on boosting manufacturing and exports in the defence sector aligns with the growing international interest in Tejas, a light combat aircraft.

Notably, the recent state visit to the US saw significant developments, with US defence giant GE Aerospace entering into an agreement with HAL for the joint production of engines for the Mk-II-Tejas. This collaboration further strengthens India’s position in the global defence market.