Tejas Takes Flight: HAL Scores $7.5 Billion LCA Mk1A Mega-Order.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the procurement of 97 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A for the Indian Air Force, valued at over ₹62,370 crore.

The order includes 68 single-seat and 29 twin-seat fighter jets, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2027–28 and continue over six years. The Mk1A variant will incorporate over 64% indigenous content, featuring 67 additional components compared to the 2021 contract.

Key Indian-developed technologies integrated into these aircraft include the UTTAM AESA Radar, Swayam Raksha Kavach (a self-protection suite), and indigenous control surface actuators—all contributing to the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliance) initiative.

The program will involve approximately 105 Indian vendors for component manufacturing and is expected to generate employment for around 11,750 people annually during the production phase.

This acquisition falls under the ‘Buy (Indian-IDDM)’ category of the Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020, reinforcing the government's commitment to defence indigenisation and domestic manufacturing.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.