The Indian Air Force is set to receive a significant upgrade with the government’s approval for the purchase of 97 LCA Tejas Mark-1A fighter jets. This deal, worth approximately 62,000 crore rupees, will be executed in partnership with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. The Defence Acquisition Council’s approval, termed as ‘Acceptance of Necessity,’ was granted on November 30, 2023, paving the way for the project. A Request for Proposal was subsequently issued by the Ministry of Defence in April 2024.
The supply of these aircraft is scheduled to begin in the fiscal year 2026-27, with the entire process being completed in stages over a period of four to five years.
HAL is set to receive its second order for the LCA Mark 1A fighter jets, having previously been contracted to build 83 aircraft. The Tejas Mark-1A is a domestically produced light combat aircraft. This addition will augment the Air Force’s squadron strength while supporting the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative, promoting indigenous manufacturing within the defense sector.
The LCA Mark 1A represents an advanced iteration of the Tejas, incorporating enhanced avionics and radar systems. The aircraft boasts a high degree of indigenous content, with over 60% of its components manufactured in India. The Tejas, a single-engine light combat aircraft, has been developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.