IAF Commemorates 25th Anniversary of Tejas First Flight
On January 4, 2026, the Indian Air Force (IAF) marked the 25th anniversary of the historic maiden flight of the indigenously developed Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA).
On January 4, 2026, the Indian Air Force (IAF) marked the 25th anniversary of the historic maiden flight of the indigenously developed Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA).
- What? 25th anniversary of Tejas LCA’s 1st flight
- Commemorated by: IAF
- 1st Flight Took Place: On January 04, 2001
- Piloted by: Wing Commander Rajiv Kothiyal
- LCA Programme launched: 1983
About Tejas LCA Journey:
Background: In 1983, the Government of India (GoI) established the LCA programme with the initial goal of developing indigenously built LCA to replace the obsolete fleet of the IAF.
Maiden Flight Test: The Tejas LCA made its historic maiden flight on 4 January 2001, flown by Wing Commander Rajiv Kothiyal in the Technology Demonstrator-1 (TD-1) from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) airport in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
Induction: The flight test initiated Tejas’ evaluation, leading to its induction into the IAF and the development of advanced variants like Tejas Mk-1A.
Key Agreement: In late 2025, HAL secured a major order for 97 more Mk-1A jets in a deal worth more than Rs 62,370 crore.
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- In May 2025, VEM Technologies handed over the 1st centre fuselage assembly for LCA Tejas Mk 1A to HAL, in Hyderabad, Telangana, and the 2nd such centre was received by HAL in September 2025.
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