Singapore Defense Minister Flies In India's LCA Tejas

Singapore Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen flew India's indigenously built light-combat aircraft Tejas on Tuesday, during his three-day visit to India for a joint training exercise between both countries' air forces.

Dr Ng hailed it "very capable" and "wonderful" after a 45-minute sortie in the supersonic fighter aircraft - becoming the first minister or civilian from outside India to fly in the locally developed aircraft.

Tejas is a very, very capable plane but I am not a pilot," Dr Ng told reporters. "The pilot, Air Vice-Marshal A.P. Singh, flew so well that it was like riding in a car."

"I can imagine why my pilots find so much value in training with IAF pilots," he said. "Superbly confident, supremely professional and really at the top of the game".

Asked about the joint military training, Ng said, "I hope this will continue for long". Ng viewed the RSAF F-16 and the IAF Su-30 fighter aircraft as well as the air exercise as part of his visit Kalaikunda Air Force Station, West Bengal, and interacted with some of the personnel, including around 100 from the RSAF now there.