In a significant boost to India’s defense capabilities, the Narendra Modi government has placed an order of Rs 36,468 crore for the delivery of 83 LCA Mk 1A Tejas aircraft with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The delivery of these aircraft is scheduled to begin by February 2024.
This order underscores the government’s commitment to strengthening India’s airpower and promoting indigenization in the defense sector. The Tejas is a domestically designed and developed fighter jet, and its induction into the Indian Air Force (IAF) marks a milestone in India’s aerospace capabilities.
The first squadron of LCA Tejas aircraft was inducted into the IAF in 2016, and two more squadrons are currently operational. The government has also sanctioned over Rs 9,000 crore for the development of LCA Mk 2, an upgraded and more advanced version of the LCA Tejas.
To further enhance India’s self-reliance in aircraft engine manufacturing, the government has negotiated the transfer of technology for the production of the GE engine in India. This agreement was reached during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the United States in June 2023.
The acquisition of these additional Tejas aircraft and the development of LCA Mk 2 will significantly bolster India’s air defense capabilities and strengthen its position as a leading regional power.
