Close-up of India's domestic fighter Tejas Mk 1A, orders hundreds of units

According to the Indian Ministry of Defense , this order is in addition to the order of 83 Tejas Mk 1A fighters approved in 2021, bringing the total number of aircraft to 180 to replace the aging MiG-21 fleet, which has served the Indian Air Force for decades.

The Tejas program, developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), has long been championed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a cornerstone of India's defence self-reliance efforts.

Last week, Mr. Modi underscored his personal support by conducting a test flight on the Tejas, hailing the program as a symbol of India’s growing aerospace capabilities.

The Tejas Mk 1A fighter incorporates advanced avionics and radar, marking a marked improvement over the 40 light combat aircraft previously delivered to the IAF. Military officials noted that “over 65 percent of the new aircraft’s components are indigenously sourced,” highlighting the program’s role in boosting India’s industrial ecosystem. The order is expected to support hundreds of small and medium-sized companies in the defense sector.

Former Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari first revealed plans to buy 97 more aircraft during a visit to Spain, calling it part of the IAF's long-term effort to expand its indigenous fighter fleet.

With deliveries under the previously signed contract already underway, this new deal positions the Tejas fighter as the backbone of the Indian Air Force's future arsenal.

The HAL-built aircraft entered service in 2016 and is currently operated by two squadrons. With the new order, the Tejas is expected to become the IAF’s largest numbered fighter in the coming years, reflecting the central role of indigenous platforms.

Apart from the Tejas Mk 1A, HAL is also expected to sign contracts for over 200 LCA Mk 2 aircraft and an equal number of Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), India's fifth-generation fighter programme.

These initiatives are in line with the government’s “Atmanirbhar Bharat” and “Make in India” missions, which emphasize self-reliance in defence manufacturing and development of critical aerospace technologies domestically.

An order worth around $4 billion for the supply of 83 Tejas Mk 1A fighters in the first batch has been placed with HAL, with delivery due by February 2024.

The follow-on contract, with 97 additional aircraft, will extend the production line into the next decade, ensuring stable output for HAL and its supply chain.

Not only that, this is also an opportunity for the Indian Air Force to accumulate experience in developing a modernized Tejas Mk 2 fighter variant with much more advanced features.

In addition to serving in the IAF, the New Delhi government also hopes to export the Tejas fighter to compete with other light fighter lines such as China's J-10 or the Swedish-made JAS-39 Gripen.