Centre Clears Rs 62,000-Cr Deal for 97 Tejas Mark 1A Jets

In a major boost to India’s defence sector, the Union Government has approved the purchase of 97 new Tejas Mark 1A fighter jets for the Indian Air Force (IAF). The deal, worth around Rs 62,000 crore, was cleared after detailed discussions at the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC). This is one of the largest defence contracts cleared for a homegrown fighter aircraft.

The Tejas is India’s indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), designed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Before this, the Air Force had already ordered 83 Tejas Mark 1A jets in 2021. With the new approval, the total number of Tejas aircraft in the IAF’s inventory will go above 180, making it the backbone of the country’s light fighter fleet.

Production of these new jets will be spread over the next decade, and it will give HAL a big responsibility to deliver them on schedule. For India, this deal means lower dependence on foreign fighter jets while also creating jobs at home, as thousands of people in aviation, technology, and supply chains will be employed in the process.

The Tejas Mark 1A is considered an advanced version of the earlier Tejas. It comes with improved radar, better electronic warfare systems, and easier maintenance features. The aircraft is also lighter and more agile, making it useful for both air defence and ground attack missions.

For the Indian Air Force, which has been facing shortage of fighter squadrons, these jets will help fill the gaps with a trusted and locally produced aircraft. Experts say this will allow the IAF to retire older Russian-origin MiG-21 jets and replace them with modern, safer aircraft made in India.

This decision is not only about defence, but also about self-reliance. For many years, India depended heavily on other countries for fighter aircraft. With the Tejas, India shows it can design, test, and build competitive fighter aircraft at home. The large order also signals trust from the Air Force, which was initially cautious about adopting a new Indian-made jet.

The move could also open the door for exports. Several countries have shown interest in Tejas as a cheaper option compared to Western fighter jets. With a solid domestic order, HAL might find it easier to push sales abroad in the coming years.

Reactions to the announcement have been mixed but largely positive. Defence experts call this a “historic step” toward strengthening India’s aerospace ecosystem. Many argue that the deal shows confidence in Indian engineering and will give a big push to “Make in India.”

On the other hand, some critics point out that the project has faced multiple delays in the past, and timely delivery will be a real test for HAL. Others believe that while Tejas is good, India also needs a mix of advanced aircraft like the Rafale or the future Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) to keep pace with modern threats.

The clearance of 97 new Tejas Mark 1A fighters is a strong signal that India is betting big on homegrown defence technology. If production stays on track, the Indian Air Force could see a major transformation in the coming decade—one that mixes imported high-end aircraft with a strong fleet of indigenous fighters.

For a country that aims to be among the top aerospace powers in the world, this deal might just be the start of a bigger journey.

With inputs from agencies

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