Latest news with #GSh-23
India.com
6 days ago
- Automotive
- India.com
Lightweight, fast, powerful: India's Tejas beats all fighter jets to become number 1 by..., dubbed as most...
New Delhi: The Tejas fighter jet is the pride of India. It is a single-engine, 4.5 generation fighter designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Indian Navy. When was Tejas inducted into the Indian Air Force? Tejas made its first flight in 2001 and entered into service with the IAF in 2015. Tejas is the smallest and lightest in its class of supersonic fighter jets. It is not only a symbol of technical excellence, but it has also become an example in the whole world due to its lightweight structure and strong performance. This light but dangerous aircraft weighs only 6.5 tons, which gives it amazing speed and agility in the air. What are the features of Tejas? Tejas is a light but dangerous aircraft that weighs only 6.5 tons, which gives it amazing speed and agility in the air. These qualities of Tejas prove the indigenous defence capability of India and put it in the league of the best fighter jets in the world. Tejas has used state-of-the-art carbon fiber composite, which makes the aircraft strong while keeping it lightweight, making it the world's lightest supersonic fighter. How powerful is its engine and flight capability? Tejas can fly at a speed of Mach 1.8 (2,220 kmph) due to the F404-GE-IN20 turbofan engine. It flies comfortably up to an altitude of 15,000 meters, which puts it at the forefront of the fight. Tejas has multi-role capabilities, by which it can operate on both air and ground. It can carry air-to-air missiles, air-to-ground missiles and anti-ship missiles, making it extremely dangerous. How much is Tejas' firepower? The GSh-23 cannon fitted in Tejas for close combat creates huge trouble for the enemies. It is far ahead of others in terms of firepower. Apart from that, it is fitted with state-of-the-art radar and avionics, giving the pilot complete information about the battlefield. Its advanced avionics prove helpful in both defence and attack. Tejas is a game-changer on the battlefield Because of its light weight and fast manoeuvrability, Tejas is a very big challenge for the enemy. It gives an edge to the Air Force and increases military strength manifold. It has a maximum speed of Mach 1.8 (2,220 kmph), combat range of 739 km, ferry range of 3,000 km, and service ceiling of 16,000 meters.
Deccan Herald
08-08-2025
- General
- Deccan Herald
Farewell, my Faithful Falcon...
It's never easy to say goodbye to an old friend, especially one that carried you through the skies, through trials and triumphs, in the formative years of your life. As the Indian Air Force prepares to phase out the last of its MiG-21 aircraft next month, I find myself gripped by a quiet, aching nostalgia.I first met the MiG-21 as a young fighter pilot fresh out of the Air Force Academy on a hazy winter morning in December 1992, on the tarmac of 101 Squadron, the Falcons of Chhamb and Akhnoor, at Sirsa Air Base. It was love at first sight. The aircraft's unique design, sleek look, and eye-catching delta-wing profile, which gave it a reputation as a potent air combat platform, was simply irresistible. In the days that followed, I discovered that the MiG-21 was a machine that didn't forgive mistakes, but taught discipline, respect, and resilience. It demanded precision and offered no shortcuts. It didn't just shape pilots, it forged warriors. In the IAF, it became more than an aircraft; it was a crucible that defined generations of air warriors, including combat, it was often underestimated until it was too late. Its agility, blistering speed, and low radar signature allowed it to punch above its weight and outmanoeuvre many larger, more advanced Type-96 variant that I flew had key upgrades, like four pylons instead of two, a deadly GSh-23 cannon, and a zero-altitude ejection seat. Capable of soaring above 18 km and reaching speeds over Mach 2, it delivered a visceral experience of power and precision. The cockpit was cramped, the workload challenging, and every mission pushed you to the edge, physically, mentally, and era set to end, widening chink in air the MiG-21's story began long before I strapped into its MiG-21 FL first roared into Indian skies in the 1960s, and by the 1971 Indo-Pak War, it had already etched its name into combat history. During the Bangladesh Liberation War, MiG-21s dominated the skies, scored critical kills, and ensured air superiority. Among its most iconic moments was the precision strike on the Governor's House in Dhaka on 14 December the 1999 Op Safed Sagar, where I flew MiG-27s, the MiG-21 variants Type 96 and Bis, once again proved their mettle. They flew daring missions in treacherous terrain, provided close air support, and stood their ground amid evolving threats. It reminded the world that age is no barrier when will and skill Bison upgrade brought modern avionics, radar, and BVR missiles into its Cold War-era frame, extending the aircraft's relevance into the 21st century, an achievement few of its vintage could ultimate test came in 2019, when, as the IAF's spokesperson, I witnessed one of our MiG-21 Bisons shooting down a Pakistani F-16, proving the platform's continued often point to its accident rate, but those who flew it knew the truth. The MiG-21 was not flawed; it was honest. It didn't pamper you. It demanded mastery. Every take-off was a contract signed with confidence, every landing, a reaffirmation of pilots fly fighters that are safer, smarter, and far more advanced. But they may never know the raw intimacy we had with our machines, no fly-by-wire, no margin for error: just a man, a machine, and the it taxis out for the final time, the MiG-21 leaves behind more than an empty hangar. It leaves a legacy of grit, glory, and guardianship. It leaves behind men and women who earned their steel in its cockpit. It leaves behind me, a pilot forever my faithful falcon. You were never just metal and wires; you were spirit and may retire, but you will never be forgotten.(The writer is a retired fighter pilot of the IAF. He flew many variants of the MiGs, including the legendary MiG-21s.)
