First Indian-designed fighter jet joins air forceJuly 1, 2016 - 11:51 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The first Indian-designed fighter jet, the Tejas, has been inducted into the country's air force, 31 years after it was first conceived, BBC News reports. Built by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), the Tejas - meaning radiant - is expected to replace the ageing fleet of Russian MIG-21s. The company handed over two of the aircraft to the air force on Friday. It is not the first Indian-made fighter jet - that was the HF-24 Marut, which was also built by HAL, in 1961. The Tejas was designed and manufactured in India, although some technologies, such as its engine and radar, have been imported. It was declared fit to fly in 2011. The two aircraft will be part of a squadron named 'Flying Daggers' 45, the PTI news agency reported. The air force aims to induct a total of six Tejas aircraft this financial year and eight in the next, the report added. The Tejas is touted by Indian defence officials as the smallest lightweight, single-engine, tactical fighter aircraft in the world. The fighter - which can carry air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons - has been long delayed by technological hurdles. U.S. sanctions imposed after India carried out nuclear tests in 1998 further stalled development of the jet. Photo: AFP Related links: Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. |