New Delhi: The Ministry of Defence has signed a contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to procure 97 Tejas Mk-1A light combat aircraft for the Indian Air Force, in a deal valued at ₹62,370 crore. The order comprises 68 single-seat fighters and 29 twin-seaters, along with associated equipment. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2027-28 and will be completed within six years.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said in a post on X, “The supply of these aircraft by HAL would enhance operational capability of the Indian Air Force to continue their unhindered operations and strengthen defence preparedness of the country. This contract reflects the trust and confidence of the Government and the Armed Forces in the indigenously developed aircraft ‘Tejas’, which will be the mainstay of the IAF in the years to come.”
The Tejas Mk-1A variant covered under this agreement incorporates over 64 per cent indigenous content and includes 67 new items compared to the 2021 contract. Key features include the UTTAM AESA Radar, Swayam Raksha Kavach, and indigenous control surface actuators. The Defence Ministry said the aircraft are being acquired under the ‘Buy (India-IDDM)’ category of the Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020, reinforcing the country’s focus on self-reliance in defence production.
The programme is supported by a supply chain of more than 105 Indian companies. During the production period, it is expected to create nearly 11,750 direct and indirect jobs annually.
The Tejas Mk-1A, described as the most advanced version of the indigenous fighter, will serve as a crucial platform to meet the operational requirements of the Air Force in the coming years.
BI Bureau
