Mumbai: The Ministry of Defence on Thursday inked a landmark ₹62,370-crore contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) to procure 97 Tejas Mk1A light combat aircraft (LCA) for the Indian Air Force (IAF).

The signing comes a month after the Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the acquisition. Deliveries will begin in 2027–28 and must be completed within six years.

The contract covers 68 singleseaters and 29 twin-seaters, making this HAL’s second major Tejas order after the ₹48,000crore deal for 83 jets in 2021. The Mk-1A, the most advanced variant of the indigenous fighter, will replace the IAF’s ageing MiG-21 fleet. It will feature 64% indigenous content and integrate new systems such as the Uttam AESA radar, Swayam Raksha Kavach electronic

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