Defence Ministry to purchase 97 indigenous fighter jets from HAL at Rs.65,000 crore
Defence Ministry has issued a tender to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for made-in-India 97 LCA Mark 1A fighter jets. HAL has been given three months to respond to it.
This order, worth Rs.65,000 crore is the largest ever order for indigenous military hardware placed by the Indian govt.
The new fighters will enable the Indian Air Force (IAF) to replace its aging MiG-21s, MiG-23s, and MiG-27s, which will be phased out.
Citing government officials, the news agency ANI reported that the government-supported indigenous fighter aircraft program is poised to boost indigenization and benefit small and medium enterprises in the defence sector nationwide.
The plan to buy 97 more LCA Mark 1A fighter jets was first made public by the IAF chief Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari on a trip to Spain when he revealed to the media India’s big plans to boost indigenous fighter aircraft orders.
LCA Mark 1A is the advanced version of Tejas aircraft. The LCA Mark 1A boasts more advanced avionics and radars than the initial 40 LCAs that the IAF will get.
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A day of rejoicing for air force personnel & for all those fighter jet designers.