LCA Mk1A jets deal: The Ministry of Defence has signed a massive deal with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) worth more than Rs 62,370 crore. This contract is for the purchase of 97 LCA Mk1A aircraft for the Indian Air Force. Out of all of these 68 will be fighter jets and 29 will be twin-seater aircraft. The deal also covers all the equipment and support needed for them.
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The delivery of these new jets will start from the year 2027-28. HAL will then hand them over step by step and the whole order will be completed in about 6 years, reported The Hindu. This means by the mid-2030s the Indian Air Force will have all these 97 aircraft flying.
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
LCA Mk1A jets deal: More Indian systems in the new planes
These new LCA Mk1A jets will have more Indian parts and systems than before. The ministry explained that the aircraft will have 64% indigenous content. They have also added 67 extra items which were not part of the earlier deal signed in January 2021. Some of the main Indian systems going inside include the UTTAM AESA Radar, Swayam Raksha Kavach for protection, and new control surface actuators. All of these systems are designed in India and are part of the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat goal.
The project is not just about HAL but also about a wide Indian supply chain. Almost 105 Indian companies are directly involved in making and supplying parts for this project. Many more will get indirect work which means more jobs and more growth for the Indian defence industry.
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The acquisition comes under the “Buy (India-IDDM)” rule in the Defence Acquisition Procedure of 2020. The LCA Mk1A is the most advanced version of the Tejas fighter jet that India has built till now..
