Passion — History
Our History
Six decades of Indian aerospace achievement — from licence production to indigenous 5th-generation aircraft.
Passion — History
Six decades of Indian aerospace achievement — from licence production to indigenous 5th-generation aircraft.
IndoFighter Corporation's story is inseparable from the story of Indian aerospace self-reliance — a journey of perseverance, talent and national ambition spanning six decades.
The Corporation was founded in 1963 by a group of aeronautical engineers led by Dr. V.R. Krishnaswami, IISc Bengaluru, with support from the Ministry of Defence. The founding team of 42 engineers drew inspiration from Dr. Homi Bhabha's vision of Indian scientific self-reliance and committed to developing India's first indigenous supersonic aircraft.
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1963 | IndoFighter Corporation founded, Bengaluru |
| 1972 | First licence-assembled MiG-21 delivered to IAF |
| 1988 | First wholly indigenous supersonic trainer — HJT-36 prototype |
| 2001 | Tejas LCA first flight — IndoFighter as major structural partner |
| 2005 | Civil Division established; Saras light transport aircraft first flight |
| 2012 | Saras 450 business jet enters service |
| 2016 | Vajra 5th-generation fighter first flight |
| 2021 | Shakti UCAV demonstrator first flight |
| 2022 | Vajra IOC — IAF No. 1 Squadron operational |
| 2024 | Vajra NV carrier qualification on INS Vikrant |