New Delhi, September 26: In a major boost to India’s self-reliance in defence manufacturing, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Thursday signed a ₹62,370 crore contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the procurement of 97 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A for the Indian Air Force (IAF). The deal covers 68 fighters and 29 twin-seaters, along with associated equipment.
Deliveries will begin in 2027–28 and continue over six years. The advanced LCA Mk1A variant will feature more than 64% indigenous content, with 67 additional items incorporated beyond the earlier 2021 contract. Key enhancements include integration of UTTAM AESA Radar, Swayam Raksha Kavach self-protection system, and indigenously developed actuators, strengthening India’s Aatmanirbharta drive.
The project will rely on a vendor base of nearly 105 Indian companies, supporting an estimated 11,750 direct and indirect jobs annually during the production phase. The acquisition falls under the ‘Buy (India-IDDM)’ category of the Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020, underscoring the government’s thrust on indigenisation.
The LCA Mk1A, designed and manufactured indigenously, represents the most advanced variant of the Tejas fighter aircraft and is expected to significantly enhance the IAF’s combat capability while boosting India’s domestic aerospace ecosystem.
