Tejas Mk1A.
India Clears 97 Locally Made Tejas LCA Mk1A Fighter Jets for Air Force in $7.4 Billion Deal: NEW DELHI – In a significant move set to redefine India’s defence manufacturing landscape, the government has given its final clearance for the acquisition of 97 indigenous LCA Mark 1A fighter jets for the Indian Air Force (IAF). The deal, valued at approximately $7.4 billion (Rs 62,000 crore), marks a major victory for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India) initiatives, bolstering the nation’s push for self-reliance in the aerospace sector.
The high-level approval, granted during a meeting on Tuesday, paves the way for state-owned aerospace giant Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to begin production of the advanced fighter aircraft. This new order is a massive boost for HAL, coming on the heels of an earlier order for 83 LCA Mark 1A jets placed a few years ago for around $5.7 billion (Rs 48,000 crore).
Defence sources confirmed that the programme is crucial for the IAF, which is finally phasing out its ageing fleet of MiG-21s in the coming weeks. The new, indigenously developed LCA Mark 1A jets are expected to be the workhorse of the air force, replacing the decades-old Soviet-era aircraft. The move is a testament to the government’s commitment to modernising its defence capabilities while simultaneously nurturing domestic industry.
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Tejas Mk1A’s maiden flight. (March 28, 2024).
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The LCA programme has long been a flagship project for India’s aspirations in defence indigenisation. Its full backing from the Ministry of Defence and Air Headquarters underscores a strategic shift away from relying solely on foreign imports. Furthermore, the initiative is set to create a ripple effect across the country’s industrial ecosystem, providing substantial business to a vast network of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) engaged in the defence sector.
Prime Minister Modi has been a vocal champion of HAL’s revival and has personally pushed for its prominence in building indigenous aircraft and helicopters, as well as their engines. His support was symbolised by a historic sortie he undertook in a trainer variant of the LCA, marking the first time a serving Indian Prime Minister had flown in a combat aircraft.
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The plan to acquire the additional 97 aircraft was first publicly announced by the former Air Force Chief, Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari, during a visit to Spain. His comments on foreign soil highlighted the IAF’s bold strategy to significantly increase its fleet of indigenous fighter jets.
The new LCA Mark 1A variant boasts enhanced capabilities compared to the initial 40 LCAs already being supplied to the air force. With more advanced avionics and radars, the new jets are set to offer a significant leap in operational performance. Critically, the indigenous content in these aircraft is slated to be more than 65 per cent, further cementing the programme’s status as a ‘flag bearer’ for India’s self-reliance in aerospace.
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Looking ahead, HAL is poised for even greater success. The company is reportedly in line to secure future deals for over 200 LCA Mark 2 jets, a more advanced version of the fighter. In a sign of India’s long-term ambitions, HAL is also expected to be a key player in the development and production of a similar number of fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), pushing the country to the forefront of cutting-edge aerospace technology.
This latest deal is not just a military procurement; it is a powerful statement of India’s economic and technological self-confidence on the global stage, showcasing a nation determined to build its own defence future, piece by indigenous piece.
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