India has highlighted its growing defence technology capabilities by revealing its first domestically built fighter jet just hours after the US lifted sanctions on its military research establishment.
The first public sighting of the light combat aircraft, which has been 30 years in the making, came at the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India’s annual showcase for its defence forces. The jet, known as the Tejas Trainer, has faced escalating development costs and domestic criticism, but is now expected to be deployed by the Indian air force next year.
Its debut on Tuesday comes a fortnight after China, seen by New Delhi as a rising military rival in the region, unveiled the latest addition to its armaments with a test flight of a domestically built stealth fighter jet during the visit to Beijing of Robert Gates, US defence secretary.