Life’s best moment: Army Chief after sortie in Tejas

Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Sunday said had he chosen the Indian Air Force (IAF), he would have been a fighter pilot.

The Army Chief made the remark after experiencing a sortie in the IAF’s indigenously developed Tejas fighter jet on the eve of Aero India 2025 (scheduled for February 10-14 in Bengaluru). The twin-seater aircraft was piloted by IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, who happens to be General Dwivedi’s course mate from their days at the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Khadakvasla, Pune.

This flight marked the first time two service chiefs have flown together in the same aircraft. As per security protocol, the two chiefs are not permitted to travel together on the ground, even in the same vehicle.

Following the sortie, General Dwivedi expressed his exhilaration, calling it “the best moment of my life”. He added, “AP Singh is my course mate. I wish he had met me earlier. I would have changed my option to the Air Force. If I had gone to the Air Force, I would have been a fighter pilot.”

General Dwivedi is from the Jammu & Kashmir Rifles. He was commissioned into the Army in 1984. “I must admire the kind of challenge Air Force pilots take. It is a good start for Aero India 2025,” he said.

The flight showcased India’s growing defence capabilities, particularly in the field of self-reliance. The Tejas fighter jet, developed entirely in India, stands as a testament to the nation’s commitment to Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) in defence manufacturing.

The Indian Army’s role in the air domain is becoming increasingly significant, especially in tactical battle areas where advanced technologies such as helicopters, unmanned aerial systems (UAS), and air defence systems are playing a crucial role.