BENGALURU: Indian Air Force chief, Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh and Army chief, General Upendra Dwivedi undertook a sortie together in the Tejas fighter aircraft on Sunday, ahead of the beginning of the Aero India in Bengaluru.
The Indian Air Force and Army chiefs flew for around 45 minutes in the indigenously built Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas. This was the first time that two chiefs of the armed forces undertook a flight together in the indigenous aircraft.
The sortie, which began at around 1.30 p.m. saw the IAF chief taking the pilot's seat while the army chief accompanied him as the co-pilot.
This comes just a day before the Aero India show kicks off in Bengaluru. The joint flight by two chiefs of the Armed Forces sends a strong message of unity and robust preparedness of the security forces to counter any eventuality.
Bengaluru is hosting the Aero India Show 2025, which is set to commence on February 10 and will conclude on February 14. The fighter jets have already begun rehearsal flights from the Yelahanka Air Force Station. In anticipation of thrilling aerial manoeuvres, thousands of aviation enthusiasts have also arrived in the city, and are already abuzz with excitement.
The United States is among the leading countries participating in Aero India 2025 - seen as Asia's premier aerospace and defence trade show exhibition. It will showcase a range of advanced aircraft, reinforcing the strong and growing defence and aerospace partnership between the US and India.
At Aero India 2025, more than two dozen American exhibitors will engage Indian counterparts, explore new business opportunities and demonstrate innovative solutions in aviation and defence. These companies will display advancements in unmanned aerial systems (UAS), fighter aircraft, advanced avionics, and defence electronics.
The theme of this programme is 'The Runway to a Billion Opportunities.'
Organized in a total area of over 42,000 sq m and with the confirmed participation of over 900 exhibitors, including 150 foreign companies, the event is set to be the biggest-ever Aero India to date.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh termed the participation of more than 90 countries as a testament to the growing global confidence in India's aerospace and defence capabilities.
He said that defence ministers or representatives from about 30 countries have come to participate in the event.
"The presence of air chiefs and secretaries from 43 countries further highlights the significance of this event - not just for India, but for the entire international defence community," said the Defence Minister. (IANS)
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