In a significant move to bolster India's aerial combat capabilities and advance its self-reliance goals, the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) are set to finalise a major contract for an additional 97 Tejas Mk1A light combat aircraft.
The agreement, valued at an estimated ₹67,000 crore (approximately $8 billion), is expected to be signed by the end of 2025.
This new order will supplement an existing 2021 contract for 83 aircraft, which included 73 Tejas Mk1A fighters and 10 trainers.
The combined orders will elevate the total number of advanced Mk1A variant jets in the IAF's inventory to 170, solidifying the Tejas as a cornerstone of its modern fighter fleet.
HAL has established a clear production and delivery timeline to meet the IAF's requirements.
The delivery of the initial 83 aircraft is scheduled to be completed by 2028. Following this, the manufacturing and supply of the second batch of 97 jets will commence in 2028 and are projected to conclude by 2031.
To accommodate this accelerated schedule, HAL is expanding its production infrastructure across its facilities in Bengaluru and Nashik, aiming to achieve a manufacturing rate of 24 aircraft per year.
A key technological milestone for the program will be the integration of indigenous critical systems.
Starting from 2028, the Tejas Mk1A jets will be equipped with the domestically developed Uttam Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar and a sophisticated Electronic Warfare (EW) suite.
These systems, created by the Defence Research and Development Organisation's (DRDO) labs, will replace the Israeli-made components used in the initial batches.
The Uttam AESA radar, which allows pilots to track multiple targets with high precision, is a crucial step towards making the Tejas a fully indigenous platform.
Upon completion of all deliveries by 2031, the IAF's total fleet of the Tejas aircraft will stand at 220. This will comprise 170 Tejas Mk1A, 32 of the earlier Tejas Mk1 variant, and 18 trainers. This will constitute approximately 11 squadrons, making the Tejas the most numerous aircraft type in the IAF's service.
This large-scale procurement is a vital part of the IAF's fleet modernisation strategy. The new Tejas Mk1A aircraft are designated to replace the ageing squadrons of MiG-21, MiG-27, and Jaguar aircraft, which are being progressively retired from service.
The move not only enhances the nation's air defence capabilities but also provides a major impetus to India's domestic aerospace and defence manufacturing ecosystem under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
