Rajnath Singh became the first Indian defence minister ever to fly in the fighter jet. Air Vice-Marshal N Tiwari, who is also the project director, National Flight Test Centre, ADA (Aeronautical Development Agency) in Bengaluru accompanied Singh.

India's defence prowess was on display during the Aero India 2019 in Bengaluru which is the largest aero show in Asia. Watch the video.

They were rehearsing for the Aero India show at the Bengaluru airbase; while two pilots were ejected safely, one pilot succumbed to his injuries.

The government has made significant investments to boost the capacity of the HAL in the last three years.

Around 20 per cent of aircraft in Indo-Pak war - one aircraft a day - were lost due to accidents; on any given day, only half of the IAF's 272 frontline fighter jet are ready for missions, as the remaining are grounded for repair.

HAL has been facing dwindling finances which might lead to its operations coming to a complete standstill later this year due to lack of funds to make fresh purchases or pay its vendors.