India Finalizes Rs 62,370 Crore Deal for 97 Indigenous Tejas MK-1A Fighter Jets to Strengthen Air Force

The defence ministry has finalized a Rs 62,370 crore deal with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) to acquire 97 Tejas MK-1A light combat aircraft for the Indian Air Force.

This contract comes more than a month after the Cabinet Committee on Security, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved this major procurement initiative.

Deliveries of the Light Combat Aircraft are scheduled to begin in 2027-28, with all aircraft to be supplied over a six-year period, according to officials.

The Ministry of Defence stated that the contract with HAL includes 68 fighter aircraft and 29 twin-seater variants, along with associated equipment, at a cost exceeding Rs 62,370 crore (excluding taxes).

This marks the second major contract awarded to the state-run aerospace company, following a Rs 48,000 crore deal in February 2021 for 83 Tejas MK-1A jets.

The new aircraft will feature indigenous content of over 64 percent, with 67 additional items incorporated beyond the previous LCA Mk1A contract signed in January 2021.

Advanced indigenously developed systems including the Uttam Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar, Swayam Raksha Kavach, and control surface actuators will enhance India's self-reliance initiatives.

These single-engine Mk-1A aircraft are intended to replace the IAF's aging MiG-21 fighters, with the contract signing occurring just before the IAF's scheduled retirement of the MiG-21 fleet.

The defence ministry highlighted that the project involves approximately 105 Indian companies directly engaged in manufacturing various components for the aircraft.

Production is expected to generate nearly 11,750 direct and indirect jobs annually throughout the six-year manufacturing period, significantly boosting the domestic aerospace sector.

This acquisition falls under the 'Buy (India-IDDM)' category of the Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020, aligning with the government's emphasis on indigenization.

The procurement is particularly significant as the IAF currently operates with only 31 fighter squadrons, well below its officially sanctioned strength of 42.

Tejas is designed as a multi-role fighter aircraft capable of operating in high-threat environments and performing diverse missions including air defence, maritime reconnaissance, and strike operations.