India's own fighter jet Tejas to join air force Monday

India's long-delayed, indigenously-developed, multi-role combat aircraft Tejas will join the Indian Air Force (IAF) Monday for initial operational clearance (IOC) in this aerospace hub.

Considered to be the world's smallest military aircraft with a single seat, Tejas will form a 200-strong fleet for the IAF to replace the ageing Russian made MiG-21 fleet, a senior official said here.

Defence Minister A.K. Antony will hand over the service certificate of Tejas to Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik to enable IAF fighter pilots to fly the light combat aircraft (LCA) for final operational clearance and its induction as the country's potent strike force by 2012, the official told IANS, speaking on condition of anonymity.

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