Politics · India · 1 hr ago
IAF chief flies final Tejas sortie before retirement
Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh flew a Tejas fighter from Jodhpur airbase during the Tarang Shakti exercise.
It was his final flight before he retires on October 31.
The aircraft was the Tejas Mk-1, an early version of India’s locally built, single-engine fighter.
The exercise involved eight air forces, and aircraft from India and other countries took part.
The newer Tejas Mk-1A is expected to enter service, but its introduction has been delayed.
The air force has ordered 180 Mk-1A fighters in two contracts.
Deliveries under the first contract are expected to begin in December, after delays linked in part to late engines and certification.
Air Chief Marshal AP Singh flew a Tejas light combat aircraft from Jodhpur airbase on Sunday in his final flight before retirement.
Singh is due to retire on October 31.
The aircraft was an LCA Mk-1, the first variant of India’s light combat aircraft.
The sortie took place during the multilateral combat exercise Tarang Shakti.
The IAF and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited expect the newer Mk-1A variant to enter service by year-end.
- Who
- Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, chief of the Indian Air Force.
- What
- He flew a Tejas LCA Mk-1 in his final flight before retirement.
- When
- Sunday, before his retirement on October 31. The article was published on October 12, 2026.
- Where
- Jodhpur airbase, India.
- Why
- It was his last flight before retirement and took place during the Tarang Shakti exercise.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
No direct quotes in the coverage so far.
The IAF signed its first contract for 83 LCA Mk-1A aircraft.
The first Mk-1A aircraft was due for delivery, but the deadline was missed.
The IAF signed a second contract for 97 Mk-1A fighters.
AP Singh flew an LCA Mk-1 from Jodhpur airbase during Tarang Shakti.
Singh is due to retire as IAF chief.
- Aircraft flown
- LCA Mk-1
- Sortie location
- Jodhpur airbase
- Retirement date
- October 31
- Mk-1A order total
- 180 fighter jets
- Combined contract value
- ₹1.1 lakh crore
- Tarang Shakti participants
- Eight air forces and 32 observer nations
Sources
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