{"id":108931,"date":"2025-08-21T19:38:00","date_gmt":"2025-08-21T14:08:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=108931"},"modified":"2025-08-21T15:43:34","modified_gmt":"2025-08-21T10:13:34","slug":"india-approves-tejas-fighter-jets-deal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2025\/08\/21\/india-approves-tejas-fighter-jets-deal\/","title":{"rendered":"India Approves $7.1 Billion for 97 New Fighter Jets for its Air Force"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

DELHI-<\/strong> The Government of India has cleared the acquisition of 97 Tejas Mark 1A fighter jets for the Indian Air Force (IAF)<\/a> at a cost of \u20b962,000 crore (US$7.1 billion). This order enables Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)<\/a> to scale up production and strengthen the indigenous fighter fleet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new order builds on the earlier contract for 83 jets worth around \u20b948,000 crore (5.5 billion USD)<\/strong>. Together, the IAF will now operate 180 Tejas Mark 1A fighters, replacing ageing MiG-21s across multiple air bases, including New Delhi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
Photo: By Rajan Manickavasagam – https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/rajanphotos\/15977470113\/in\/photostream\/, CC BY 2.0, https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/w\/index.php?curid=38527157<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

India Approves Tejas Fighter Jet Deal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This approval is the second major order for the Tejas Mark 1A, and it signals a decisive shift in India\u2019s defence procurement strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The indigenous programme, backed strongly by the Defence Ministry and Air Headquarters, ensures long-term fleet standardisation and reduces reliance on imports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Officials noted that the project directly supports hundreds of small and medium enterprises engaged in defence manufacturing, creating a wider ecosystem for the aerospace industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prime Minister Narendra Modi <\/a>has played a prominent role in backing HAL and the Tejas programme. He became the first Indian Prime Minister to fly in a trainer variant of the Tejas, highlighting the government\u2019s commitment to indigenous defence capability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"HAL
Photo: By Government of India – https:\/\/x.com\/DRDO_India\/status\/1821898262963744913, GODL-India, https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/w\/index.php?curid=151464005<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Tejas Mark 1A Capabilities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Tejas Mark 1A is an upgraded version of the original Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). It comes equipped with advanced avionics, electronic warfare systems, and radar capabilities that make it more agile and combat-ready than the earlier batch of 40 LCAs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defence sources confirm that more than 65% of its components are produced in India, a significant marker of the country\u2019s progress in aerospace self-reliance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Former Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari had first announced the plan for 97 additional jets during his visit to Spain, underlining the Air Force\u2019s long-term strategy to expand its indigenous fleet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"India
Photo- Ashwin Kumar; Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

HAL\u2019s Growing Defence Portfolio<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

HAL has already secured orders for a wide range of aircraft, helicopters, and engines under the government\u2019s Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The company is expected to receive further contracts for over 200 LCA Mark 2 fighters and a similar number of fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alongside the Tejas deal, the Defence Acquisition Council recently approved \u20b91.6 lakh crore worth of proposals, including 156 Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand units and upgrades for 84 Su-30MKI fighters. These projects demonstrate India\u2019s focus on building a sustainable, indigenous defence ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Tejas F-404 Engine ; Photo- GE Aerospace<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Bottom Line<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Tejas aircraft was first inducted into the IAF in 2016, and two squadrons currently operate the type.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deliveries of 83 previously ordered Mark 1A jets, valued at \u20b936,468 crore, are set to begin by February 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the new order, the Tejas fleet will eventually form the backbone of the IAF, becoming its largest fighter group as the MiG-21s are phased out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Japan Air Force Deploys 3 Most Expensive Fighter Jets in the World at Nyutaburu Base<\/a><\/blockquote>