India has signed a landmark $7-billion deal to procure 97 domestically designed and built Tejas fighter jets, marking a significant step in modernizing its air force. The order comes as the country begins retiring its decades-old Russian MiG-21 fleet, once the backbone of its air defense but now outdated for modern threats.
The contract, one of the largest in terms of fighter aircraft numbers placed at once by India, underscores New Delhi’s growing push for self-reliance in defense production. The Tejas, meaning “brilliance” in Hindi, was first inducted into service in 2016. This new order focuses on the upgraded Mk-1A variant, designed to offer superior capabilities.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the contract was signed with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the supply of 97 Light Combat Aircraft, comprising 68 single-seat fighters and 29 twin-seaters. The manufacturing process involves more than 100 Indian firms, with the aircraft achieving an indigenous content level of over 64 percent.
Deliveries of the jets are scheduled to begin in 2027–28 and continue over a six-year timeline. Defense analysts say the large-scale induction of Tejas fighters will not only enhance India’s combat readiness but also reduce dependency on foreign suppliers. The deal reflects India’s broader security concerns, especially amid rising tensions with neighboring Pakistan, with which it fought a brief but intense conflict as recently as May.
