In a tragic incident for the Indian Air Force, a Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas fighter jet crashed near Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, on Tuesday, March 12, 2024.
The Tejas aircraft that unfortunately crashed was participating in the Bharat Shakti exercise at the Pokhran firing range. The Bharat Shakti exercise is a major tri-service military exercise designed to showcase India's military prowess and inter-service coordination.
Fortunately, the pilot ejected safely before the impact. The pilot received medical attention, and no casualties were reported on the ground. The Indian Air Force has expressed relief over the pilot's safety and ordered a Court of Inquiry.
This incident marked the first-ever crash of the Tejas since its inaugural test flight in 2001. An official investigation, a Court of Inquiry, is underway to determine the cause of the accident.
TEJAS:
Tejas, the Sanskrit word for "radiance", is a single-engine, delta-wing Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) that embodies India's growing prowess in aerospace technology. Designed collaboratively by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the Tejas boasts a unique blend of indigenous development and potent combat capabilities. It formally entered service with the Indian Air Force (IAF) in 2016. The Tejas programme stands as a testament to India's commitment to achieving self-reliance in the critical domain of aerospace and defence technology.