Why in News?
The Defence Ministry signed a ₹62,370-crore deal with HAL to procure 97 Tejas Mk-1A fighter aircraft for the IAF. Deliveries start in 2027, featuring advanced indigenous systems, boosting Aatmanirbhar Bharat, defence preparedness, and generating significant employment.
Description:
- Tejas: India’s indigenous 4.5-generation Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), developed by Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
- Category: Supersonic, single-engine, multi-role, light fighter.
Latest Deal:
- Date: September 25, 2025.
- Buyer: Indian Air Force (IAF).
- Manufacturer: HAL.
- Value: ₹62,370 crore.
- Quantity: 97 Tejas Mk-1A aircraft.
- 68 single-seat fighters.
- 29 twin-seat trainers.
- Delivery: 2027–28 onwards, to be completed in 6 years.
- Procurement Category: Buy (India–IDDM) under Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020.
- Cleared by Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) on August 19, 2025.
Significance:
- Largest-ever deal for an indigenous fighter jet.
- Coincides with retirement of last two MiG-21 squadrons (Sep 26, 2025).
- Will boost IAF’s squadron strength.
- Indigenous content: Over 64%.
- Employment impact: ~11,750 direct & indirect jobs annually.
- Supply chain: ~105 Indian companies involved.
Features of Tejas Mk-1A (Compared to earlier variants):
- Equipped with 67 additional indigenous items compared to 2021 order.
- UTTAM AESA radar (indigenously developed).
- Swayam Raksha Kavach Electronic Warfare (EW) suite.
- Indigenous control surface actuators.
- Powered by GE F-404 engines (113 engines finalised separately).
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