Air Force Commander of Southern Air Command Reviews Combat Readiness and Flies Tejas Fighter Jet in Sulur

SULUR, July 14, 2026 — Air Marshal JS Mann, the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Southern Air Command, visited Air Force Station Sulur today to review the operational preparedness of combat units responsible for protecting Peninsular India and the Indian Ocean Region.

During his evaluation tour, the Air Marshal personally piloted a combat interception mission in the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, a move that reemphasizes the military’s confidence in India’s domestic aerospace self-reliance initiatives.

The high-level military visit underscored the strategic importance of airpower in maintaining maritime dominance, securing regional stability, and ensuring effective deterrence across the Indian Ocean.

Defense officials noted that the assessment focused heavily on the force’s capability to defend vital national interests and maintain a strong defensive posture in the southern peninsula. The successful flight and tactical review highlight the ongoing integration of home-grown aviation technology into regular frontline defense operations.