Indigenous fighter jet Tejas to make debut at Republic Day

Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 19

Indigenously-made fighter jet Tejas will make its Republic Day debut in this year’s parade, the Indian Air Force announced on Thursday.

Principal Director Air Defence Rajiva Ranjan said the Tejas will lead the formation of fighter jets.

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The IAF will use three of the Tejas which has been made by public sector giant Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.

The IAF has contracted 123 Tejas in various configurations.

It will be after three decades that a locally-made fighter jet will fly during the Republic Day parade.

The last time an indigenous fighter jet was part of the Republic Day was in the 1980’s when the Marut, a 1960’s design, was part of the flypast.

The flypast will also include a display by the Russian-origin Sukhoi 30MKI.