India Clears ₹62,000 Cr Deal for 97 Tejas Mk1A Jets
The Indian government has cleared a ₹62,000 crore deal to procure 97 additional Tejas Mk1A fighter aircraft. The approval, granted by the Cabinet Committee on Security, will further strengthen the Indian Air Force’s fleet and support the “Make in India” push for indigenous defence manufacturing.
HAL to Lead Production Across Facilities
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will manufacture the new jets at its Bengaluru and Nashik production lines. With this order, the total confirmed commitment for the Tejas Mk1A rises to around 180 aircraft, including the earlier 83-aircraft order cleared in 2021.
Boost to Indian Air Force Capabilities
The Tejas Mk1A comes with upgraded avionics, modern radar, electronic warfare systems and improved operational range compared to the initial LCA variants. The expanded fleet will help replace ageing MiG-21 squadrons and enhance India’s combat readiness.
Market Reaction and Defence Push
Shares of HAL and other defence-linked companies rose sharply after the clearance, with HAL stock gaining over 3%. The order reflects India’s strategy of building self-reliance in defence production while expanding its aerospace industry capacity.
