Close-up view of India's domestically produced Tejas Mk 1A fighter jet, with orders finalized for hundreds of units.

According to the Indian Ministry of Defence , this order supplements the 83 Tejas Mk 1A fighter jets already 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 defense self-reliance efforts.

Last week, Modi underscored his personal support by conducting a test flight on the Tejas, praising the program as symbolic of India's growing aerospace capabilities.

The Tejas Mk 1A fighter jet incorporates advanced avionics and radar systems, marking a significant improvement over the 40 light fighter aircraft previously delivered to the IAF. Military officials noted that "over 65% of the new aircraft's components are domestically sourced," highlighting the program's role in boosting India's industrial ecosystem. This order is expected to support hundreds of small and medium-sized enterprises in the defense sector.

Former Indian Air Force Chief Chaudhari revealed plans to purchase an additional 97 aircraft during a visit to Spain, viewing it as part of the IAF's long-term effort to expand its domestic fighter fleet.

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

The HAL-manufactured 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 most numerous fighter in the coming years, reflecting the central role of domestically produced platforms.

In addition to the Tejas Mk 1A, HAL is also expected to sign contracts for more than 200 LCA Mk 2 aircraft and a similar number of Advanced Medium Fighter (AMCA) aircraft, part of India's fifth-generation fighter program.

These initiatives align with the government's "Atmanirbhar Bharat" and "Make in India" missions, which emphasize self-reliance in defense manufacturing and the domestic development of critical aerospace technologies.

An order worth approximately $4 billion for the first batch of 83 Tejas Mk 1A fighter jets has been placed with HAL, with a delivery deadline of February 2024.

Thanks to the subsequent contract, the additional 97 aircraft will extend the production line into the next decade, ensuring stable output for HAL and its supply chain.

Furthermore, this is also an opportunity for the Indian Air Force to gain experience in using and developing a modernized Tejas Mk 2 fighter variant with much more advanced capabilities.

Besides serving in the IAF, the New Delhi government also hopes to export the Tejas fighter jet to compete with other light fighter aircraft such as China's J-10 or Sweden's JAS-39 Gripen.