The purchase is the largest ever of domestically-produced warplanes by the South Asian nations armed forces

New Delhi has signed a contract worth $7.1 billion with state-backed Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the purchase of 97 Tejas Mk-1A light combat aircraft (LCA), the Defense Ministry said on Thursday.

The order is for 68 single-seat fighter jets and 29 twin-seat trainer aircraft, the ministry said. Deliveries to the Indian Air Force (IAF) are likely to commence in 2027-28 and will be completed over a period of six years, it added.

The decision to buy the Tejas aircraft is seen as a boost to the government's "Make in India" initiative.

The Tejas jets will have 64% indigenous components, with the project being supported by a vendor base of nearly 105 Indian companies directly engaged in the manufacture of components.

"The integration of advanced indigenously developed systems such as the Uttam AESA (active electronically scanned array) radar, Swayam Raksha Kavach (electronic warfare suite), and control surface actuators will further strengthen the Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) initiatives," the ministry's statement read.

The purchase of the Tejas Mk-1A fighter aircraft is part of an ongoing effort to replace the country's fleet of MiG fighter jets, which were procured over a number of decades from the USSR and Russia.

Two LCA Mk-1As are currently undergoing crucial weapon trials involving the ASRAAM (advanced short-range air-to-air missile), according to the Hindustan Times.

"The LCA Mk-1A is the most advanced variant of the indigenously designed and manufactured fighter aircraft and will serve as a potent platform to meet the operational requirements of the IAF," the defense ministry said.

India has been ramping up its defense purchases this year. In May, New Delhi approved $175 million for the development of an advanced medium combat aircraft (AMCA). The multi-role stealth jet will be used by the air force and navy.

(RT.com)