New Delhi
In a major boost to India’s indigenous aerospace capabilities, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a ₹62,370 crore contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to procure 97 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk-1A jets for the Indian Air Force.
Key deal details
- The order comprises 68 single-seaters and 29 twin-seat variants, along with associated equipment.
- Deliveries are slated to begin in 2027–28 and are expected to be completed over a six-year period.
- The Mk-1A version will have over 64 % indigenous content, including 67 additional indigenous items compared to previous variants.
- Some of the advanced systems include the UTTAM AESA radar, the Swayam Raksha Kavach electronic warfare system, and indigenous control surface actuators.
- The acquisition falls under the Buy (India-IDDM) category of the Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020, aligning with the “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiative.
Strategic & industrial significance
- This is the largest order to date for the Tejas platform. The earlier contract (January 2021) was for 83 Mk-1A jets worth ₹46,898 crore.
- The project is expected to draw upon a supply chain of nearly 105 Indian companies manufacturing components, and generate around 11,750 direct and indirect jobs per year during the six-year production span.
- The emphasis on higher indigenous content demonstrates India’s effort to reduce import dependence in defence systems and strengthen the domestic aerospace and defence ecosystem.
Conclusion
The ₹62,370 crore deal for 97 Tejas Mk-1A jets marks a significant milestone in India’s defence procurement journey. It underscores the government’s commitment to indigenisation and strategic autonomy, while simultaneously supporting the national defence industry and enhancing the Indian Air Force’s operational capability.