In light of the tensions with China on the Ladakh front, the Indian Air Force (IAF) deployed the home-grown Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) TEJAS on the western front along the Pakistan border, marking an important victory for the indigenous fighter aircraft development.

According to government officials who spoke to ANI, “the Indian Air Force deployed the TEJAS on the western front close to the Pakistan border to take care of any possible action by the adversary there.” According to the sources, the Southern Air Command’s 45 unit (Flying Daggers), the first TEJAS unit, was assigned there in an operational capacity.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the homegrown TEJAS aircraft in his Independence Day speech and predicted that the purchase of the TEJAS MK-1A version would be completed soon.

The second 18 Squadron, also known as the “Flying Bullets,” was operationalized on May 27 at the Sulur airfield by IAF head Air head Marshal RKS Bhadauria whereas the first squadron of the aircraft is of the Initial Operational Clearance type.

By the end of this year, the 83 MK-1A aircraft will be purchased by the Indian Air Force and the Defence Ministry. The IAF had deployed its resources all around the borders with China and Pakistan due to Chinese aggressiveness on the boundaries.

The force’s forward airbases, which have been extensively used recently for both daylight and nighttime flight operations, are prepared to handle eventualities along the western and northern fronts.