New Delhi: The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a landmark contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the procurement of 97 Light Combat Aircraft – LCA Mk1A at a cost of ₹62,370 crore (excluding taxes).
The deal includes 68 fighter jets and 29 twin-seater aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF), along with associated equipment.
LCA Mk1A Contract Strengthens Indigenous Defence Manufacturing
The delivery of the aircraft is scheduled to commence in 2027–28 and will be completed over six years. Each aircraft will feature more than 64% indigenous content and incorporate 67 additional systems compared to the previous LCA Mk1A contract of January 2021.
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Among the advanced technologies integrated are the indigenously developed UTTAM Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar, Swayam Raksha Kavach, and control surface actuators, further strengthening the government’s Aatmanirbharta vision.
Boost to Aerospace Ecosystem and Job Creation
The program will be supported by nearly 105 Indian companies directly contributing to component manufacturing. This large-scale production is projected to generate around 11,750 direct and indirect jobs annually for six years, significantly boosting the domestic aerospace ecosystem.
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Strategic Acquisition Under Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020
The acquisition falls under the ‘Buy (India-IDDM)’ category of the Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020, highlighting the government’s continued emphasis on indigenisation.
The LCA Mk1A, the most advanced variant of the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft, will serve as a critical platform to enhance the operational readiness of the Indian Air Force.
