The Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Thursday signed a contract worth over ₹62,370 crore with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the procurement of 97 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A for the Indian Air Force (IAF).

The order includes 68 fighter jets and 29 twin-seater aircraft, along with associated equipment. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2027–28 and will be completed over a period of six years.

According to the ministry, the aircraft will have an indigenous content of more than 64%, with 67 additional items integrated compared to the earlier LCA Mk1A contract signed in January 2021. These upgrades include advanced indigenous systems such as the UTTAM Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar, Swayam Raksha Kavach, and control surface actuators.

The project is backed by

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