GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 26th Sept: The Defence Ministry on Thursday inked a Rs 62,370 crore contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) for the procurement of 97 Tejas Mk-1A light combat aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF), including 68 single-seat fighters and 29 twin-seaters.
The deal, approved last month by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is set to commence deliveries from 2027-28 and will be completed over six years.
According to officials, the aircraft will feature over 64% indigenous content, with 67 additional items incorporated beyond the earlier 83-jet Mk-1A contract signed in January 2021. Advanced systems such as the Uttam AESA Radar, Swayam Raksha Kavach, and control surface actuators will further strengthen India’s self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
The Mk-1A jets are designed to replace the IAF’s aging MiG-21 fleet and are capable of multi-role operations including air defence, maritime reconnaissance, and strike missions. The procurement is supported by nearly 105 Indian companies, expected to generate approximately 11,750 direct and indirect jobs per year over six years, boosting the domestic aerospace ecosystem.
“The LCA Mk1A is the most advanced variant of the indigenously designed and manufactured fighter aircraft and will serve as a potent platform to meet the operational requirements of the IAF,” the Defence Ministry said. The acquisition falls under the ‘Buy (India-IDDM)’ category of the Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020, aligning with the government’s focus on indigenisation.
The deal comes a day before the IAF formally bids farewell to its MiG-21 fleet, highlighting a milestone in the modernisation of India’s air capabilities.
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