IAF Chief flies LCA Tejas; squadron 'Flying Bullets' operationalised

The Indian Air Force today operationalised its no.18 Squadron, the "Flying Bullets", at Sulur, equipping it with the fourth generation LCA Tejas. Air Chief Marshall RKS Bhadauria also flew the single-seater aircraft today.

Sulur (Tamil Nadu): Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief, Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria operationalised the second squadron comprising indigenously developed light combat aircraft Tejas on Wednesday at the Sulur Air Force Station.

The indigenous tailless compound delta wing aircraft was inducted at an official ceremony in the presence of Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria.

Bhadauria operationalised the 18 Squadron which is codenamed 'Flying Bullets', as he flew a single-seater Light Combat Aircraft Tejas fighter.

The No.18 Squadron will be the second one to have the home-made Tejas, after the 45 Squadron based here. An all-faith prayer was held and a coconut broken to mark the induction of Tejas today.

The 18 squadron was formed in 1965 with the motto 'Teevra aur Nirbhaya' meaning 'Swift and Fearless'. The squadron was flying MiG 27 aircraft before it was number plated or decommissioned on April 15, 2016.

Read:Top Army commanders to deliberate on situation in Eastern Ladakh

The squadron was resurrected again on April 1 at Sulur. It actively participated in the 1971 war with Pakistan. It earned the sobriquet of 'Defenders of Kashmir Valley' by being the first to land and operate from Srinagar.

The Tejas is a fourth generation combat aircraft developed by Aeronautical Development Agency and the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.

It is equipped with fly-by-wire flight control system, integrated digital avionics and multimode radar.

(With inputs from PTI)