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Hindustan Aeronautics hands over first Tejas jets

Two new jets make up first of India's light combat aircraft squadron.

By Geoff Ziezulewicz
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has handed over the first two Tejas jets to the Indian Air Force, in the process creating the country's first light combat aircraft squadron. Screenshot courtesy India Aeronautical Development Agency/YouTube
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has handed over the first two Tejas jets to the Indian Air Force, in the process creating the country's first light combat aircraft squadron. Screenshot courtesy India Aeronautical Development Agency/YouTube

NEW DEHLI, India, July 1 (UPI) -- Hindustan Aeronautics Limited handed over the first two Tejas jets to India's air force Friday, the country's Aeronautical Development Agency announced.

The jets are the first two members of the "Flying Daggers" 45 squadron, which will be comprised of the Light Combat Aircraft, or LCA.

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India's first indigenous light combat aircraft, in development since the early 1980s, is slated to replace the MiG-21 series and is a result of several years of design and development work between the agency and HAL.

The MiG-21 has been India's mainstay jet since the 1970s.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Twitter described the indigenous jet as a source of "unparalleled pride and happiness," and an illustration of the country's "skills and strengths" as he continues work to promote India's defense industry.

India's LCA is the smallest multi-role supersonic fighter jet of its class.

The single engine, single seat, compound delta wing jet will serve in the Indian air force and navy in the coming years, the agency said.

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