In a significant milestone for India's self-reliance in defence manufacturing, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is set to deliver the first two Tejas Mk1A Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) to the Indian Air Force (IAF) on October 17.
A formal handover ceremony will take place at HAL's production facility in Nashik, which will be attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
This event marks a major step forward for the nation's indigenous aerospace industry under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
The delivery of these jets follows the recent contract signed on September 25, where the Ministry of Defence placed an order with HAL for an additional 97 Tejas Mk1A aircraft, valued at approximately ₹62,370 crore.
This procurement is critical for the IAF, which is working to increase its squadron strength to counter regional security challenges.
The Tejas Mk1A is a significantly upgraded version of its predecessor, featuring advanced capabilities essential for modern aerial warfare.
Key enhancements include an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar for superior target detection, a sophisticated electronic warfare suite for self-protection, and the ability for air-to-air refuelling to extend its operational range.
The presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at the ceremony highlights the government's strong commitment to promoting indigenous defence production.
During his visit, the minister is expected to tour the aircraft assembly line and interact with the engineers and technicians.
This program not only strengthens national security but also provides a major boost to the economy by creating thousands of jobs and integrating over 500 private sector companies into the defence supply chain.
Developed over the last decade, the Tejas program is crucial for modernising the IAF's fleet and addressing the shortfall in its number of fighter squadrons, which currently stands at 31 against a sanctioned requirement of 42.
Following the handover, these two aircraft will undergo intensive flight trials before being officially inducted into an operational squadron, with full clearance expected by 2026.
HAL has significantly ramped up its production capabilities, with its Nashik plant now able to manufacture between 8 and 16 jets annually.
The Tejas Mk1A notably features over 65% indigenous content, including critical systems like its digital flight control computer and advanced avionics developed by partners such as Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).
