India’s Tejas aircraft to join exercise with Royal Air Force

India’s light combat aircraft Tejas will join a multi-nation air exercise named ‘Ex Cobra Warrior 22’ at Waddington, Lancashire, from March 6 to 27, when fighter aircraft from Britain and other leading air forces will share best practices and other aims, official sources said here on Friday

The exercise is aimed at providing operational exposure among the Air Forces, to enhance combat capability and forge bonds of friendship. This will be a platform for LCA Tejas to demonstrate its manoeuvrability and operational capability.

An official release said five Tejas aircraft from the IAF’s 45 Squadron will fly to Britain for the exercise, with IAF C-17 aircraft providing the necessary transport support for induction and de-induction.

The release added that the 45 Squadron was formed on November 20, 1959 at AFS Palam. The squadron emblem of Dagger with Wings was formally approved on September 16, 1961. Equipped with British-made Vampire, it was put under the command of Sqn Ldr MS Grewal as its first Commanding Officer. The squadron’s motto is 'Ajeetakshay' which means ‘Invincible in the Sky'.

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