Tejas, India’s first indigenously designed, developed and produced fourth-generation plus light combat aircraft (LCA) has achieved yet another milestone by launching an infrared seeking air to air missile that hit the target in a direct hit with precision and destroyed the target. The test, demonstrating required parameters was conducted off the coast of Goa in Arabian Sea, and has taken the aircraft closer to its induction in the Indian Air Force.

Tejas has been developed by DRDO with Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), Bengaluru, as the lead laboratory and HAL as the production partner. Avinash Chander, Scientific Advisor to Defence Minister and Secretary, Department of Defence R&D, said “With this launch of missile from Tejas and successfully hitting the target in the first shot, we have demonstrated the total weapon system capability of LCA Tejas.”

Tejas has been undergoing weapon release flight tests, for its operational clearance.