In a first, Chief of Indian Air Force (IAF) Air Chief Marshal AP Singh along with Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi flew in the ingeniously built Light Combat Aircraft Tejas at the Air Force station in Bengaluru’s Yelahanka on Sunday. The IAF and the Army Chief took the 45-minute sortie in the trainer version of the LCA Tejas fighter aircraft a day ahead of Aero India Show 2025.
This is the first-ever flight of two serving chiefs together in an Indigenous fighter jet. While interacting with reporters after the sorties, General Dwivedi said that he would have been a fighter pilot, if he had joined the Air Force.
Here Is The Video by Avinash KS (@Avinash KS14):
“It was the best moment of my life. As you are aware Air Chief Marshal AP Singh is my course mate and we have been together since our NDA days. I wish he had met me earlier, I would have changed my option to the Air Force. I have told earlier also if I had gone to the Air Force, I would have been a fighter pilot,” the Chief of Army Staff said as quoted by ANI.
Visuals Shared By ANI:
“From today AP Singh is my guru. I relished. I must admire the kind of challenge Air Force pilots take. It’s a good start for Aero India 2025,” he added.
Army Chief’s Interaction With Reporters:
The 15th edition of Aero India, Asia’s biggest aerospace and defence exhibition, will be inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at the Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru on Monday, February 10. “With the broad theme of ‘The Runway to a Billion Opportunities’, the five-day extravaganza will showcase India’s aerial prowess and indigenous cutting-edge innovations alongside state-of-the-art products of global aerospace companies. In line with ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ vision, the event will also provide a stage to forge international collaborations to fast-track the indigenisation process, thereby providing a thrust to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi-led Government’s resolve of making the country Viksit Bharat by 2047,” the Defence Ministry said in a press release.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru on the eve of the event, Singh described Aero India as a crucial platform, which will drive forward the Government’s vision of a strong, capable India, secure and self-reliant India.
“Aero India is a platform that showcases the strength, resilience, and self-reliance of New India. It is not just crucial for India’s defence preparedness, but it also plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of our nation. It will demonstrate our defence capabilities and forge global partnerships. Our goal is to enhance collaboration in areas of common interest with our friendly nations, fostering deeper cooperation and shared progress. The event is not just a showcase of technology and innovation, but will also serve as a source of inspiration for our youth, fostering scientific temperament and a spirit of innovation,” he said.
The 15th Aero India will be held between February 10 and 14. Meanwhile, February 10t to 12 have been reserved as business days, with February 13t & 14 set as public days for people to witness the show. The event comprises Defence Ministers’ Conclave; CEOs Roundtable; inauguration of India & iDEX Pavilions; Manthan iDEX event; Samarthya Indigenisation event; Valedictory function; seminars; breath-taking airshows and an exhibition of aerospace companies.
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