The Chief of Staff of the French Air Force General Andre Lanata became the second foreign military power in take a sortie in India’s Tejas on Wednesday. The first foreign power being the US Air Force chief General David L Goldfein. The Air Force head of France took a trip from the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas from the Air Force Station in Jodhpur. A defence spokesperson said that Lanata was in the rear seat if the twin-seat trainer aircraft. Tejas is India's first indigenous LCA. The first squadron of the Tejas was introduced into the IAF in 2016.

The Tejas is the smallest, multi-role, single engine tactical fighter aircraft in the world. It is specifically developed for the IAF. In a recent tweet, the Indian Air Force (IAF) mentioned “ The Chief of the Staff of French Air Force, General Andre Lanata, while in a goodwill visit to India flew a sortie in “ Made In India “ - LCA Tejas Aircraft at AF Station Jodhpur, today.”

The chief of the French Air Force has arrived to test the strength of the Jodhpur airbase. He also spoke with admiration of the Tejas describing it as a strong and great fighter plane. These are positive signs in various ways. This is very good regarding improving military relations between India and France. The chief came to observe the effectiveness of the techniques used by the Indian Air Force. He visited other operational units of the air base. Later after the airbase visit, he also visited the beautiful city of Jodhpur. The chief said he is on a three-day tour in Jodhpur. Together with his wife he toured Mehrangarh Fort on Wednesday.

The Group Captain Rajesh Joshi, also the commander of IAF’s Jodhpur station briefed the French Captain about the air force station that is strategically located in the western part of the state. The French Chief of the world’s second most powerful air force has been quite satisfied with the visit. He shared his experiences to the other pilots and it was a great learning experience for them.