Watch India's Tejas fighter jet flex its muscles in Bahrain (without any Pakistani competitor)
The somewhat indigenous plane will start full-scale production next year.
Awesome LCA Tejas high speed low-pass and pull-up at Bahrain today. https://t.co/zsF7rqLHum
— Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) January 20, 2016
Finally, after much fanfare, India's Tejas fighter jet made its international debut at the Bahrain international airshow. Two versions of the Defence Research Design Organisation-designed planes flew to Bahrain for the airshow, the first time the Tejas had made its way into foreign airspace.
The Indian Air Force contingent also included the Sarang Air Display team, featuring indigenously built helicopters showing off their precision maneuvering and "ballet-like" coordinated flying.
Sarang Display Team at Bahrain Air Show: https://t.co/qozHzUUwNk pic.twitter.com/jdDe3pdYeB
— MIB India (@MIB_India) January 21, 2016
But the focus was on the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft, which has been a trouble child for the Indian forces for sometime now. Here was a chance for the aircraft to shine, especially since there was a chance that it might go up against Pakistan's JF-17 fighter jet which was jointly designed with China.
In the event, the Pakistani contingent never confirmed their attendance at the Bahrain airshow, leaving the Tejas to hog all the limelight.
Tejas performing for the first time in a foreign land! Great moment to cherish at Bahrain! pic.twitter.com/POw4dL4Q9v
— Nitin A. Gokhale (@nitingokhale) January 21, 2016