India joins elite group of countries capable of Air-to-Air fuel transfer

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DRDO PHOTO

AMN

Indigenously developed light combat aircraft Tejas was successfully carried out today, placing India in an elite group of countries having air-to-air refuelling capacity for military planes.

The mid-air re-fuelling of wet contact trial for Light Combat Aircraft, LCA Tejas MK-1 was successfully carried out from an Indian Air Force base.

Defence Ministry in a release said, the trial was a part of the Air-to-Air refuelling flight tests conducted by Indian Air Force. Before this wet contact trial, the dry contact trials were successfully conducted last week.

The Ministry said, Indian Air Force provided all required support to DRDO including the tanker aircraft for the successful test flight.

The Air-to-Air refuelling capability for Tejas is a force multiplier for the Indian Air Force, giving the aircraft the potential to stay airborne for much longer periods of time. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has complimented DRDO, Indian Air Force, HAL and other agencies involved in the mission.