India has signed a INR624 billion (about $7 billion) contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for 97 Tejas Mk1A light combat aircraft, the largest single order for the indigenous fighter.
The agreement builds on an earlier deal for 83 aircraft finalised in 2021, taking the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) total Tejas Mk1A orders to 180. The aircraft are intended to replace ageing Soviet-era fighters and bolster India’s air defence capability.
The Tejas Mk1A is an upgraded version of the baseline Tejas Mk1, featuring advanced avionics, modern electronic warfare systems, and compatibility with a wider range of weapons. It will be fitted with the indigenously developed Uttam AESA radar and the Swayam Raksha Kavach self-protection suite, enhancing both offensive and defensive capability. Powered by GE-404 engines, the aircraft can carry beyond-visual-range missiles, precision-guided munitions and conventional bombs, with a strike range of up to 2,000 km.
Deliveries of the new batch are expected to begin in 2027-28 and continue for six years. The jets will be inducted into multiple IAF bases across the country, ensuring wider coverage and quicker deployment.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called the contract a “milestone in India’s journey towards self-reliance,” highlighting that the programme strengthens the domestic aerospace sector while ensuring operational readiness.
The Tejas programme, once viewed as ambitious and uncertain, has now emerged as a central pillar of India’s combat aviation strategy. Officials said the expanded order would not only accelerate induction into the IAF but also boost export prospects for the aircraft.
With the signing, the Tejas Mk1A is set to become the backbone of the IAF’s light fighter fleet well into the 2040s.
Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and France’s Safran Electronics & Defence (SED) have signed a joint venture cooperation agreement to manufacture…
India’s armed forces are set to conduct their largest-ever drone and counter-drone exercise next month, marking a significant step in…
In a bid to bolster the combat readiness of the Indian Air Force (IAF), India has approved the procurement of…
In a major milestone for India’s indigenous defence industry, the country’s annual defence production touched a record INR1.5 trillion (USD18…
In a giant leap for international space collaboration and Earth science, India and the United States have successfully launched NISAR,…
India has successfully conducted a high-altitude firing trial of the Akash Prime air defence system in Ladakh, in the Himalayas,…
The Indian Army is set to receive its first batch of three AH‑64E Apache attack helicopters from the United States…
In a significant leap for India’s maritime defence capabilities, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully completed user…
Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) on July 2 delivered INS Udaygiri, the second Project 17A stealth frigate, to the Indian…
In a grand ceremony that underscored the enduring strategic partnership between India and Russia, the Indian Navy commissioned INS Tamal…
In a boost to India's defence self-reliance push, Reliance Infrastructure-promoted Reliance Defence Limited has entered into a strategic partnership with…
In a decisive push to boost the Indian Army’s effectiveness in counter-terrorism operations, the Ministry of Defence has concluded 13…
In a landmark development for India’s space and manufacturing sectors, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has secured a $61 million contract…
Dassault Aviation and Reliance Aerostructure Ltd (RAL), a subsidiary of Reliance Infrastructure, unveiled a strategic partnership to manufacture Falcon 2000…
The tragic crash of Air India Flight AI171 has cast a harsh spotlight on an enduring vulnerability in Indian aviation:…
In a significant move aimed at advancing India's self-reliance in electronics and semiconductors, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Tata Electronics…
In a major boost to India’s aerospace ambitions, Dassault Aviation and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) have signed four landmark…
IndiGo, India’s largest airline by market share, has confirmed an order for 30 additional Airbus A350-900 wide-body aircraft, doubling its…
Brazilian aerospace and defense major Embraer has announced the establishment of a wholly-owned subsidiary in India, underscoring its long-term commitment…
The impressive growth of India's indigenous defence industry is reflected in the latest list of most valuable defence companies in…
IndiGo has signed an agreement with Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL) to establish a large-scale Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO)…
In a decisive escalation of hostilities, India Thursday struck key Pakistani air defence systems in response to a major overnight…
In the wee hours of May 7, India executed a coordinated, multi-branch military operation named Operation Sindoor, striking nine terrorist-linked…
Caracal, a small arms manufacturer from the UAE and an entity within EDGE Group, and ICOMM Tele Ltd, a group…
Dynamatic Technologies Limited and Deutsche Aircraft have inaugurated the rear fuselage assembly line for the D328eco turboprop aircraft at Dynamatic's…
India’s state-owned defence firm, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has been awarded a contract by the Ministry of Defence supply of…
Bengaluru, March 27, 2025: Navratna Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has secured additional orders worth Rs.1,385 Crore since the…
The Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) has launched 'Tavasya', the second frigate under Project 1135.6 and the last of the four…
India's Ministry of Defence has granted initial approval for military modernization projects worth over ₹54,000 crore (INR540 billion or $6.3…
IndiGo has announced another firm agreement with Norse Atlantic Airways for damp lease of three more Boeing 787-9 aircraft. The…
Headquartered in Singapore with reporters spread across all major regions, GBP Aerospace & Defence is a leading media house that publishes three publications that serve the aerospace and defence sector - Asian Defence Technology, Asian Airlines & Aerospace and Daily News. Known industry-wide for quality journalism, GBP Aerospace & Defence is present at more international tradeshows and exhibitions than any other competing publication in the region.
For over three decades, our award-winning team of reporters has been producing top-notch content to help readers stay abreast of the latest developements in the field of commercial aviation, MRO, defence, and Space.
Copyright 2024. GBP. All Rights Reserved.
