MoD Signs Rs 62,370 Crore Deal with HAL for 97 Tejas Mark-1A Fighter Jets for IAF.

In September 2025, the Ministry of Defense (MoD) signed a Rs 62,370 crore deal with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) for the procurement of 97 Tejas Mark-1A fighter jets for the Indian Air Force (IAF). The acquisition strengthens India’s indigenous defense capabilities under the Buy India-Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured (IDDM) category of the Defense Acquisition Procedure 2020.

      - The deal comprises 68 single-seat fighters and 29 twin-seat trainers, along with associated equipment. This is the second procurement of indigenous LCA Mark-1A fighters, following the February 2021 order of 83 aircraft valued at Rs 48,000 crore, bringing the total Tejas aircraft orders for the IAF to over 180 jets.

      - The Tejas Mark-1A project is supported by a vendor network of nearly 105 Indian companies, directly engaged in manufacturing detailed components, ensuring a strong domestic industrial base and enhancing indigenization.

      - According to the MoD, deliveries of the 97 Tejas Mark-1A jets will begin in 2027-28 and will be completed over six years, aligning with IAF modernization plans.

Main Point :-   (i) The Tejas Mark-1A is an indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) with over 64% indigenous content, featuring 67 additional components compared to the previous LCA Mk1A contract.

      (ii) It is equipped with advanced avionics, radar systems, and modern weaponry, including the UTTAM AESA radar, Swayam Raksha Kavach defensive systems, and advanced control actuators, enabling it to launch multiple weapons from extended stand-off ranges.

(iii) The first Tejas jets were inducted into the IAF in July 2016 as a single-engine, lightweight multi-role fighter, originally designed to replace the MiG-21, and the current Mark-1A variant enhances India’s indigenous defense and air superiority capabilities.
About Indian Air Force (IAF)