India Approves Rs 62,000 Crore Deal for 97 Indigenous LCA Tejas Jets

India has approved a ₹62,000 crore deal to procure 97 indigenous LCA Tejas Mark 1A fighter jets for the Indian Air Force, marking a significant boost to the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives. This is the second major order for the LCA Mark 1A, with a previous order of 83 jets, bringing the total to 180. The new jets will replace the aging MiG-21 fleet, which is being phased out soon, and feature upgraded avionics, radar systems, and over 65% indigenous content. The acquisition supports local small and medium enterprises involved in defense manufacturing and positions Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) as a key player in India's aerospace sector. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a strong advocate of indigenous defense production, personally flew in a trainer variant of the Tejas, underscoring government backing. Future plans include production of over 200 upgraded LCA Mark 2 jets and fifth-generation aircraft to further advance India's self-reliance in defense technology.