In a bid to further propagate swadeshi in the defence industry, the iconic MiG-21 fighter jets are set to be replaced by ‘Made in India’ Tejas aircraft. Tanking a landmark step in the direction, the Centra has inked a massive Rs 62,370 crore contract with leading defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
Ministry of Defence on Thursday (September 25) entered into a multi-crore deal with HAL for the supply of 97 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk-1A jets to the Indian Air Force (IAF). This notably came just a day before the Russian fighter jet’s final farewell from the Indian skies.
Defence ministry’s deal with HAL includes 68 single-seat fighters and 29 twin-seaters, making it the largest-ever order for the Tejas platform. This agreement builds on the earlier Rs 46,898 crore order for 83 Mk-1A jets placed in January 2021, underlining the central role of the homegrown fighter in strengthening India’s air combat fleet.
HAL Tejas delivery: What is the timeline and production scale?
Deliveries of the new aircraft are slated to begin in 2027–28, with the entire order expected to be fulfilled within six years. The production will be supported by a robust domestic supply chain involving nearly 105 Indian companies, cementing Tejas as the backbone of India’s indigenous aerospace ecosystem.
According to officials, the project will generate approximately 11,750 direct and indirect jobs every year during the production period. Worth noting here is that MoD’s deal with HAL is the biggest-ever indigenous fighter jet contract signed.
Tejas Mk-1A: What indigenous upgrades are planned for combat edge?
The Tejas Mk-1A comes equipped with several indigenous upgrades to enhance operational performance. Key additions include:
- UTTAM AESA Radar for advanced target tracking
- Swayam Raksha Kavach electronic warfare suite for self-protection
- Indigenous control surface actuators for improved handling
Moreover, the latest variant will feature over 64% indigenous content, with 67 additional items compared to the earlier version, marking a significant leap in homegrown technological capabilities.
How does the deal align with Atmanirbhar Bharat vision?
Categorized under the ‘Buy (India-IDDM)’ provision of the Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020, the acquisition reaffirms the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) mission.
By relying on an Indian-designed, Indian-developed, and Indian-manufactured fighter jet, the IAF is set to not only expand its fleet strength but also reinforce India’s strategic independence in the defence sector.
The LCA Tejas Mk-1A, the most advanced version of the indigenous fighter to date, will substantially boost the IAF’s combat readiness. With modern avionics, radar, electronic warfare systems, and indigenous components, it positions India’s air force for enhanced operational capability in the years ahead.