The indigenously-developed Light Combat Aircraft Tejas has attained significant milestone by flying the 500th sortie this year, the highest achieved in a calendar year so far. A DRDO release said that the achievement is significant, as the highest number of sorties attained earlier in a calendar year was less than 300 sorties.

Congratulating the Tejas team, DRDO chief Avinash Chander said, single most important factor behind the achievements is the synergy of teamed efforts of Aeronautical Development Agency, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the IAF.

In 2013, the Tejas achieved several milestones including flight envelope expansion, R73E missile firing with radar guidance, Air to ground weapon tests, wet runway trials and demonstration of Swing Role capability during exercise IRON FIST.