BIG boost of IAF as Modi govt inks deal with HAL to procure 97 Tejas MK-1A fighter jets worth Rs…

In a significant move to boost the operation capabilities of the India(BHARAT)n Air Force (IAF), the Central government has inked a Rs 62,370 crore deal with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) to procure 97 Tejas MK-1A fighter jets from the state-owned defence manufacturer. According to official, the Union Defence Ministry on Thursday signed a contract with HAL for Tejas MK-1A light combat aircraft, over a month after the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi green-lighted the mega procurement.

Under the contract, HAL will commence the delivery of the Tejas MK-1A Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) in 2027-28, and would have to complete the supplies over a period of six years, as per an official release.

“The Ministry of Defence signed a contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for procurement of 97 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A, including 68 fighters and 29 twin seaters, along with associated equipment, for the India(BHARAT)n Air Force, at a cost of over Rs. 62,370 crore (excluding taxes),” the release stated.

Will new Tejas MK-1A fighters be more advanced than previous variants?

According to the Defence Ministry, the new batch of Tejas MK-1A fighter jets will incorporate over 64 percent indigenous content, with 67 additional items incorporated, over and above the previous LCA Mk1A contract signed in January 2021.

Additionally, the Tejas MK-1A fighters will be equipped with indigenously developed systems such as the Uttam Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar, Swayam Raksha Kavach, and control surface actuators to “further strengthen the Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) initiatives”.

Notably, this is HAL’s second Tejas MK-1A LCA contract. The space-run aerospace giant had signed a Rs 48,000 crore agreement with the defence ministry in February 2021 to provide 83 Tejas MK-1A jets for the IAF. The indigenous fighter jets are aimed to replace the IAF’s aging MiG-21 fighters.

“The LCA Mk1A is the most advanced variant of the indigenously designed and manufactured fighter aircraft and will serve as a potent platform to meet the operational requirements of the IAF,” the ministry said.

How Tejas MK-1A jets would boost IAF’s operational capability?

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the supply of the aircraft by the HAL would enhance the operational capability of the India(BHARAT)n Air Force to continue their “unhindered operations” and strengthen defence preparedness of the country.

“This contract reflects the trust and confidence of the Government and the Armed Forces in the indigenously developed aircraft ‘Tejas’, which will be the mainstay of the IAF in the years to come,” he said.

The ministry said the project to procure the 97 Tejas jets is being supported by a robust vendor base of nearly 105 India(BHARAT)n companies directly engaged in the manufacture of various components.

Tejas contract to generate 12,000 jobs

It said the production of the jets is expected to generate close to 11,750 direct and indirect jobs per year for the duration of six years, giving a major boost to the domestic aerospace ecosystem.

“The acquisition, under the ‘Buy (India(BHARAT)-IDDM)’ category of Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020, is in line with the government’s thrust on indigenisation,” the ministry said.

The IAF is looking at inducting the warplanes as the number of its fighter squadrons have gone down to 31 from officially sanctioned strength of 42.

(With inputs from agencies)