New Delhi, August 20 (HS): With the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) clearing the purchase of 97 additional Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk-1A, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is scaling up production to meet the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) growing demand. Together with the earlier order of 83 jets, a total of 180 aircraft will now be manufactured — India’s largest-ever indigenous military hardware contract worth nearly ₹85,500 crore.

Initially, HAL had planned to produce 16 aircraft annually, but the fresh order has pushed the target to 30 fighters per year. To meet this ambitious goal, production capacity is being expanded with a third assembly line now fully operational at Nashik, in addition to the two lines in Bengaluru.

Engine Bottleneck

Despite the upbeat production plans, the engine supply problem looms large. The LCA Mk-1A relies on U.S.-made GE F404 engines, and so far India has received only two units after a long wait. The U.S. has assured delivery of 12 engines in 2025 and 20 more in 2026, but any further delay could disrupt HAL’s schedules.

Largest-Ever Homegrown Fighter Deal

The ₹65,000 crore tender for 97 aircraft, floated nearly 18 months ago, has culminated in CCS clearance. This new contract surpasses the earlier ₹48,000 crore deal for 83 jets signed in February 2021, making it the largest indigenous defense contract to date.

The acquisition comes at a crucial juncture as India phases out its aging MiG-21, MiG-23 and MiG-27 fleets, replacing them with a far more advanced, locally built fighter to counter the China-Pakistan axis.

Next-Gen Upgrades in Tejas Mk-1A

The LCA Mk-1A variant brings 43 significant improvements over the base model, including enhanced avionics, reduced maintenance needs, and upgraded weapon systems. It will feature:

-AESA radar (initial batch with Israeli EL/M-2052, later with India’s indigenous Uttam radar)

-Israeli ELL-8222 jammer pods for countering BVR and SAM missile radars

-Advanced BVR and close-combat air-to-air missiles

-Precision-guided bombs, including 500-kg Laser Guided Bombs (LGBs)

With over 65% indigenous content, the Tejas Mk-1A highlights India’s growing self-reliance in aerospace and defense technologies.

Currently, two IAF squadrons operate the Tejas, but with the new orders, it is on track to become the largest fighter fleet of the Indian Air Force in the coming decade.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar