- Cabinet clears ₹97,000 cr Tejas jet order
- 97 new LCA Mk-1A jets for Indian Air Force
- HAL shares rise after aircraft deal approval
- Boost for indigenous defense manufacturing
India has taken a major step in strengthening its indigenous defense capabilities with the Union Cabinet approving a ₹97,000 crore procurement of 97 HAL-made Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk-1A jets for the Indian Air Force. The decision not only boosts the IAF’s combat strength but also provides a significant push to India’s “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiative in defense manufacturing. Following the announcement, shares of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) surged in the stock market, signaling strong investor confidence in the aerospace giant’s future trajectory.
Cabinet Nod for Indigenous Fighter Jets
The Cabinet Committee on Security gave the final go-ahead for what is being called one of India’s largest indigenous fighter jet orders. The 97 LCA Mk-1A fighters will be manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and delivered to the Indian Air Force in a phased manner over the next few years.
According to media reports, this order supplements the earlier approval of 83 LCA Mk-1A aircraft in 2021, taking the total number of jets ordered to 180 for the IAF, making it a core element of the Air Force’s combat fleet modernization strategy.
Advancing Air Power and Reducing Imports
The LCA Tejas Mk-1A has an advanced electronic warfare suite, active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, beyond-visual-range missile capability, and improved operational performance. With this procurement, India aims to:
- Modernize its fleet with multi-role fighter jets.
- Reduce dependence on imported aircraft.
- Strengthen the domestic defense production ecosystem.
- Generate employment in aerospace and allied industries.
As per several media sources, the decision reflects the government’s consistent push to indigenize defense procurement while empowering public sector undertakings like HAL to scale up capacity.
HAL Shares Rally on Approval
The Cabinet clearance led to a positive reaction in the markets, with HAL’s shares rising sharply in early trade. The ₹97,000 crore deal ensures assured long-term orders for HAL, providing the company a stable revenue pipeline. Analysts expect this to further solidify HAL’s position as a key defense manufacturer in the global aerospace industry.
Future Outlook for India’s Defense Manufacturing
The procurement marks a watershed moment for India’s domestic defense sector. With sustained orders and growing exports of the Tejas trainer and combat versions, HAL is set to emerge as a hub for affordable, modern fighter jets. Simultaneously, the IAF’s combat capabilities are expected to rise significantly as the LCA Mk-1A squadron strength expands over the next decade.
India’s decision to induct 97 more LCA Mk-1A fighters strengthens its defense manufacturing base, reduces import dependence, and boosts the combat readiness of the Indian Air Force. It reaffirms the government’s commitment to making India a global leader in indigenous aerospace and defense production.
The move is likely to accelerate future collaborations in defense technology and open up new export markets for India’s domestically built fighter jets, thereby positioning the nation as an aviation powerhouse.
“This news story has been developed by Ingenious India based on information available in the open domain for public consumption. Ingenious India does not claim ownership of original reporting and has compiled this article using publicly accessible media sources. For any concerns regarding the information, please contact the editor at ingindia22@gmail.com.”
