The defence minister will also commission the newly built Scorpene-class submarine INS Khanderi on September 28. The submarine was handed over to the Navy by Mazgaon Dockyard Ltd, a defence PSU, on September 19.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will board the INS Vikramaditya for a 'day at sea' with the Western Fleet off the Goa Coast on September 29 on Sunday (September 29). The defence minister will also commission the newly built Scorpene-class submarine INS Khanderi on September 28.

The submarine was handed over to the Navy by Mazgaon Dockyard Ltd, a defence PSU, on September 19. "The new #INSKhanderi, 2nd of the Project 75 submarine built at #MDL. To be commissioned on 28 Sep 19, at Mumbai, by the Honourable Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh," the Navy tweeted.


Earlier on September 19, Rajnath Singh flew in the Tejas fighter aircraft from the HAL airport in Bangalore, becoming the first defence minister to fly in the indigenously-built light combat aircraft (LCA).
After the 30-minute sortie, the defence minister said he chose the aircraft because it was built indigenously and described the flying experience as thrilling.

"Flight very smooth, comfortable, I was thrilled. It was one of the most memorable events of my life," said the 68-year-old Rajnath Singh after alighting from the aircraft.

"This is an indigenous plane. So, it came naturally to me to fly in Tejas and experience the flying. It was also to check under what conditions do our fighter pilots fly these aircraft. This is why I flew in this aircraft," the minister said.

Wearing a G suit, holding his helmet under his arms and sporting aviator glasses, Rajnath Singh looked every inch a fighter pilot. "I want to congratulate HAL, DRDO and several agencies concerned. We have reached a level where we can export fighter planes across the world...Countries in South East Asia have shown interest in purchasing Tejas aircraft," he said.

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