Indias Rs 62,000 Crore Indigenous Fighter Jet Push: Govt Clears Deal To Buy 97 LCA Tejas Mark 1A Combat Jets
Second Big Order for Tejas Jets
This is the second major order for Tejas Mark 1A aircraft. The first order for 83 jets was placed a few years ago at a cost of around Rs 48,000 crore. Together, these jets will form a crucial part of the Air Force's future fleet as the MiG-21s are finally being retired in the coming weeks.
Also Read: '6 Pak Aircraft Were Downed During Operation Sindoor': Air Force Chief Praises S-400 System
Boost for 'Make in India'
The Tejas programme has strong backing from both the Ministry of Defence and Air Force Headquarters. It's seen as not just a military upgrade, but also a big push under the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives. The project will benefit hundreds of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) involved in manufacturing defence components across India.
PM Modi's Personal Support
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been a key supporter of HAL and India's defence manufacturing capabilities. He even flew in a trainer version of the Tejas — becoming the first Indian Prime Minister ever to fly in a combat aircraft. The idea of acquiring 97 more jets was first shared by former Air Force Chief, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, during his visit to Spain.
Also Read: 'Political Will And Coordination…': Air Force Chief Lists Reasons For Operation Sindoor's Success
More Advanced Technology
The Tejas Mark 1A jets have improved radars, avionics and a higher indigenous content — over 65 percent — compared to the earlier batch of 40 jets. The aircraft is considered a symbol of India's growing self-reliance in aerospace and defence technology.
What's Next?
HAL is also expected to receive additional orders in the near future — including over 200 Tejas Mark 2 jets and a large order for India's upcoming fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
15 minutes ago
- First Post
Rs 62,000 crore deal for 97 Tejas LCA Mk1A fighter jets gets govt's green light
The new fleet is expected to help phase out India's ageing MiG-21 jets, which the government has decided to retire in the coming weeks India has approved the acquisition of 97 Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mark 1A fighter jets for the air force. The clearance was given at a high-level meeting on Tuesday (August 19), paving the way for state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to expand production of the indigenous aircraft, ANI cited defence sources as saying. It marks the second major order for the fighter, following an earlier deal for 83 aircraft worth around Rs 48,000 crore. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Replacing ageing MiGs The new fleet is expected to help phase out India's ageing MiG-21 jets, which the government has decided to retire in the coming weeks. The defence ministry and air force command have fully backed the programme, which officials say will not only strengthen the IAF but also boost India's defence manufacturing ecosystem, creating business for hundreds of small and medium enterprises. HAL, long seen as the backbone of India's aerospace industry, has been central to Modi's efforts to revive indigenous fighter production. The prime minister himself flew a sortie in the trainer variant of the Tejas last year, the first time an Indian leader had flown in a combat aircraft. Indigenous content and future plans The LCA Mark 1A is equipped with upgraded avionics and radar compared with the first 40 Tejas aircraft supplied to the air force. Officials said the new batch will have more than 65% indigenous content. The latest order underscores India's ambitions for self-reliance in defence, with HAL expected to secure further contracts for more than 200 LCA Mark 2 jets and a similar number of the fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft. Former air chief marshal VR Chaudhari had first signalled the expansion of the Tejas programme in 2022 during a visit to Spain, calling the planned order a 'mega boost' to indigenous fighter manufacturing. The government has framed the Tejas programme as a symbol of its Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) initiative, and as a marker of India's push to emerge as an aerospace power. With inputs from agencies
India.com
15 minutes ago
- India.com
After big loss in Operation Sindoor, Pakistan inducts new surveillance aircraft that will blind the enemy radar from 500 km, its name is...
New Delhi: During Operation Sindoor in early May, India shot down two AWACS surveillance aircraft of the Pakistan Air Force. One of the Pakistani AWACS was shot down by India's S-400 air defense system from a distance of 314 kilometers, while the other was destroyed in the attack on the airbase. This has reduced the surveillance capability of the Pakistan Air Force by about 70 percent. But now, according to the latest report, the Bombardier Global 6000 aircraft has been included in the Pakistan Air Force, whose surveillance capability is claimed to be 500 km. How has Pakistan modified the Bombardier Global 6000 aircraft? The Bombardier Global 6000 aircraft is to enhance an electronic warfare capability. In this, Pakistan has installed the Aselsan HAVA SOJ system with the help of Turkey, which will increase its ability to stand-off jamming and surveillance of enemy air defense (SEAD/DEAD). With the help of Turkish defense companies Aselsan and Turkish Aerospace Industries, Pakistan has converted this aircraft into a surveillance electronic warfare aircraft. How much will the capability of the Pakistan Air Force increase? This surveillance aircraft is equipped with Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA)-based Digital Radio Frequency Memory (DRFM) jammers, wideband electronic intelligence (ELINT) sensors, communication denial systems and radar deception equipment. It is claimed that this aircraft is capable of disrupting enemy networks from a distance of more than 500 km. The biggest advantage that the Pakistan Air Force will get from this is that it can disrupt the enemy's network while being at stand-off range from a very high altitude, while it makes a safe path for its attack squadron. According to sources, this aircraft has already joined the Pakistan Air Force and is being integrated into the strategic mission planning of the Pakistan Air Force. What does Pakistan say about this aircraft? A senior Pakistan Air Force official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Khyber Mail newspaper that 'the induction of this aircraft is a significant leap in our ability to shape the electronic warfare space. The Global 6000 equipped with HAVA SOJ provides us with a persistent high altitude electronic warfare capability, thereby strengthening our defence position.' Turkey has already converted several Global 6000 aircraft for the Air Force under its HAVA SOJ program, and Pakistan's variant has been specially designed keeping in mind regional threats.
India.com
15 minutes ago
- India.com
Good Bye B-2, Hello B-21: World's First Sixth-Gen Super Bomber Ready – Who's In Its Crosshairs?
Washington: After the success of Operation Midnight Hammer against Iran, the United States Air Force is preparing to induct the B-21 Raider, the world's first sixth-generation stealth bomber. Long regarded as the crown jewel of America's bomber fleet, the B-2 Spirit is now moving toward retirement. Major General Jason Armagost, head of the Eighth Air Force, spoke about the transition during a webinar hosted by the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies. His command oversees the current fleet of B-2, B-1 and B-52 bombers. He said the B-21 will give the Air Force a campaign-ready strike force capable of deploying multiple classes of weapons and carrying out missions across continents at the same time. Northrop Grumman, the developer of the Raider, describes the aircraft as the world's first true sixth-generation bomber. The Air Force plans to acquire a good number of units, signalling the scale of the programme. A New Era in American Strike Capability The B-52 and B-1 bombers entered service in the 1990s. The B-2 Spirit soon took the lead as the most advanced stealth platform in the world. The fleet remained small; only 21 aircraft were ever built. One was lost in a crash, while another has been grounded. Maintenance costs also remain extremely high. These limits drove U.S. planners to fast-track the B-21 Raider. The B-21 is still in testing phase. Its design resembles the B-2's flying wing, though it carries major upgrades. The air inlets are recessed to evade radar detection. The 2-D exhaust system suppresses heat emissions and makes infrared tracking difficult. The aircraft is equipped with advanced radar, electronic warfare systems and intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR) technology. It also features a long strike range, allowing operations across vast areas without mid-air refueling. The Raider's open-system architecture will allow easy integration of new weapons and future technologies, giving it an edge in adaptability. U.S. Strategy for the B-21 Reports suggest that the Air Force aims to add at least 100 B-21 bombers to its fleet. Analysts warn this may fall short. When the B-2 was conceived, the target was 132 units, though only 21 were completed. The limited production pushed costs above $2 billion per aircraft. A similar shortfall in B-21 procurement could again raise the price per plane to extreme levels. Senior U.S. commanders have advised a much larger fleet, with some recommending more than 200 units. Their reasoning is to ensure the United States can project airpower simultaneously across Asia, Africa and the Middle East. The calls for expansion have grown louder with the possibility of confrontation with China in mind.
