Big Boost to Indian Air Defence HAL to Deliver 97 Advanced LCA Mk1A Aircraft

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The contract is for the procurement of 97 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A. This includes 68 fighters and 29 twin seaters. The contract also includes associated equipment for the Indian Air Force. The cost is over Rs. 62,370 crore (excluding taxes) on September 25, 2025. The delivery of these aircraft would commence during 2027-28 and be completed over a period of six years.

The aircraft will have an indigenous content of over 64%. There will be 67 additional items incorporated. These are over and above the previous LCA Mk1A contract signed in January 2021. Advanced indigenously developed systems such as the UTTAM Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar are being integrated. Swayam Raksha Kavach and control surface actuators are also included. These advancements will further strengthen the Aatmanirbharta initiatives.

Also read: HAL prepares to meet Indian Air Force Delivery Schedules for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A

A robust vendor base is supporting the project. Nearly 105 Indian companies are directly engaged in the manufacture of detailed components. The production is expected to generate close to 11,750 direct and indirect jobs per year. This will continue for the duration of six years. It will give a major boost to the domestic aerospace ecosystem.

The acquisition falls under the ‘Buy (India-IDDM)’ category of Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020. This is in line with the Government’s thrust on indigenisation. The LCA Mk1A is the most advanced variant of the indigenously designed & manufactured fighter aircraft. It will serve as a potent platform to meet the operational requirements of the IAF.

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