Defence Ministry signs Rs 62,370-cr deal with HAL for 97 Tejas Mk-1A jets

The Ministry of Defence on Thursday finalised a Rs 62,370 crore contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the supply of 97 Tejas Mk-1A light combat aircraft (LCA) to the Indian Air Force (IAF), marking one of the largest indigenous defence procurement projects in recent years.

- SIMONTINI BHATTACHARJEE

The agreement, cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last month, will see deliveries beginning in 2027-28. According to officials, HAL will complete the supply of the aircraft over a six-year period.

“The Ministry of Defence signed a contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for procurement of 97 Light Combat Aircraft Mk-1A, including 68 fighters and 29 twin-seaters, along with associated equipment for the Indian Air Force, at a cost of over Rs 62,370 crore (excluding taxes),” an official statement said.