Defence Ministry Signs ₹62,370 Crore Deal for 97 Tejas Mk-1A Jets
The Ministry of Defence has signed a contract worth ₹62,370 crore with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to procure 97 additional Tejas Mark-1A fighter jets for the Indian Air Force. This is the largest-ever order for indigenous military hardware and brings the total number of Mk-1A jets on order to 180. The deal is a significant boost for India's self-reliance ('Aatmanirbharta') initiative and is critical for replenishing the IAF's dwindling combat squadron strength as it phases out its aging MiG-21 fleet.
Unpacked:
Tejas Mark-1A features over 40 improvements, including advanced AESA radar, enhanced electronic warfare suite, in-flight refuelling, onboard oxygen generation, expanded weapons integration, and reduced turnaround time. These upgrades improve survivability, operational flexibility, and pilot ergonomics over earlier models.
The MiG-21s are decades old and have suffered numerous accidents and reliability issues. Replacing them with modern jets like Tejas Mk-1A boosts safety, operational capability, and ensures squadron strength remains adequate for national defense.
Tejas Mk-1A is expected to surpass 70% indigenous content within four years, reflecting India's push for defense self-reliance. High local content reduces dependence on imports, strengthens domestic industry, and aligns with the 'Aatmanirbharta' initiative.
Based on previous contracts, HAL is expected to deliver all ordered Tejas Mk-1A jets within eight years, though official timelines for this new batch have not been publicly detailed yet.