India Approves $7.4bn Deal for 97 Tejas Fighter Jets in Major Push for Defence Self-Reliance
The Indian government has approved the purchase of 97 Tejas Mark 1A fighter jets in a landmark $7.4 billion deal that will significantly expand the country’s air power while boosting its domestic defence industry.
The order, cleared by the Defence Ministry this week, comes on top of an earlier contract for 83 Tejas Mk1A aircraft signed in 2021, taking the total number of jets on order to 180. The fighters will gradually replace India’s ageing fleet of MiG-21s, which have been the backbone of the Air Force for more than half a century.
Developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the Tejas program has been championed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a symbol of India’s push towards self-reliance under the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiative. Last week, Modi personally took a sortie in a Tejas jet, describing the aircraft as proof of India’s growing aerospace capability.
The Tejas Mk1A is an advanced variant of the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft, incorporating modern radar systems, avionics, and electronic warfare capabilities. Defence officials said more than 65% of the components are sourced domestically, with the program supporting hundreds of small and medium enterprises across India’s defence manufacturing sector.
Former Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari had first hinted at the scale of the planned acquisition during a visit to Spain, framing it as part of the Indian Air Force’s long-term strategy to increase reliance on homegrown fighters. Deliveries from the 2021 order have already begun, and with this new contract, the Tejas is set to become the largest fighter fleet in the IAF’s inventory over the coming decade.
The aircraft, first inducted in 2016, currently equips two IAF squadrons. With production lines at HAL now extended well into the next decade, the company is expected to maintain steady output, ensuring continuity for its supply chain and partners.
Looking further ahead, HAL is also preparing for future contracts for more than 200 Tejas Mk2 fighters and the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) — India’s fifth-generation stealth fighter program. Together, these projects mark a decisive shift in India’s defence modernisation plans, positioning domestic platforms at the heart of the Air Force’s future.
The Defence Ministry confirmed that the new Tejas order, worth nearly ₹62,000 crore, will begin delivery following the completion of the earlier 83-aircraft contract, scheduled from February 2024.
