India's Indigenous Tejas Mk1A Fighter Nears Maiden Flight After Successful Taxi Trials

Defense News ,India :-  India's aerospace aspirations surged forward yesterday with the indigenous Tejas Mk1A fighter aircraft, codenamed LA5033, completing low-speed and high-speed taxi trials (LSTT and HSTT).

These trials mark a significant advancement toward the much-anticipated maiden flight, now slated for today pending final checks.

Certifying authorities are expressing confidence in LA5033's preparedness, instilling optimism for today's potentially historic flight.

Yesterday's taxi trials were conducted under the helm of veteran test pilot Group Captain K K Venugopal (Retd), part of the esteemed Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Civil Test Pilot (FW) group.

The successful completion of taxi trials signifies a pivotal milestone in the evolution of the Tejas Mk1A, an upgraded and more formidable version of the Tejas light combat aircraft.

The impending maiden flight stands as a monumental achievement for India's indigenous fighter jet program, showcasing the nation's burgeoning prowess in aerospace engineering.