India To Procure 97 More Indigenous Tejas Mk1A Fighter Jets In Rs 62,000-Crore Push For IAF Modernisation; Total Orders Rise To 180

The Central government has reportedly approved a Rs 62,000-crore deal for the procurement of 97 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mark 1A fighter jets.

The final approval for the acquisition of the 97 aircraft was granted at a high-level meeting on Tuesday (19 August), paving the way for Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to begin production, India Today reported, citing defence sources.

This procurement marks the second order for LCA Mark 1A aircraft. The government had previously placed an order for 83 such jets in February 2021 at a cost of Rs 48,000 crore.

The new batch of 97 aircraft will increase the total LCA Mark 1A fighters in the IAF to 180.

The jets feature over 65 per cent indigenous content, incorporating components from more than 500 local firms.

The LCA Mark 1A jets are equipped with advanced systems including AESA radar, electronic warfare suites, and air-to-air refuelling capabilities.

Each aircraft has 13 hardpoints capable of carrying 6.5 tonnes of payload, including Astra beyond-visual-range missiles and ASRAAM short-range missiles.

The acquisition approval comes amid phasing out of the IAF's ageing MiG-21 fleet, which is scheduled for retirement in the coming weeks.

HAL reportedly plans to produce up to 24 jets annually under this contract, with deliveries expected between 2025 and 2032.

HAL is also positioned to receive future orders for over 200 LCA Mark 2 jets and a similar number of fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft.

Also Read: HAL Gets Second GE F404-IN20 Engine For Tejas Mk 1A— All About Most Powerful F404 Variant Set To Power India's Indigenous Fighter Fleet