Defence Ministry says new Tejas jets from HAL will have over 64% indigenous content under latest procurement deal, boosting Make in India efforts.

Delhi, NY:  In order to acquire 97 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A for the Indian Air Force, the Ministry of Defense (MoD) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) signed a contract on Thursday, September 25. At a total cost of more than Rs 62,370 crore (excluding taxes), the order consists of 68 single-seat fighters and 29 twin-seaters together with related equipment. These aircraft would be delivered over a six-year period, starting in 2027–2028.

Over a month after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved the massive procurement, the contract was signed. The state-owned aerospace giant has been given this contract for the second time.

MoD signed a contract with @HALHQBLR for 97 LCA Mk1A aircraft (68 Fighters & 29 Twin Seaters) with associated equipment for the IAF at Rs 62,370 Cr (excl. taxes) under Buy (India-IDDM), today in New Delhi. The advanced LCA Mk1A integrates UTTAM AESA #Radar, Swayam Raksha Kavach &… pic.twitter.com/Bwm8WlsITq

— Ministry of Defence, Government of India (@SpokespersonMoD) September 25, 2025

More than 64% of the aircraft will be indigenous, with 67 extra items included. This is in addition to the previous LCA Mk1A deal, which was signed in January 2021. Aatmanirbharta initiatives will be strengthened even more by integrating cutting-edge domestically developed technologies such the UTTAM Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar, Swayam Raksha Kavach, and control surface actuators.

A strong vendor base of approximately 105 Indian businesses that are directly involved in the production of detailed components is supporting the project. Over a six-year period, the manufacturing is anticipated to create over 11,750 direct and indirect jobs annually, significantly bolstering the domestic aerospace industry.

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The purchase falls under the Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020’s “Buy (India-IDDM)” category and aligns with the government’s indigenization strategy. The LCA Mk1A, the most sophisticated of the fighter aircraft built and constructed in the country, will be a powerful platform to fulfill the IAF’s operational needs.