Tejas Fighter Aircraft Sees Over Rs 36,000 crore Worth of Order, says Officials

In a significant move under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, official sources confirmed on Saturday that an order amounting to Rs 36,468 crore has been issued for the acquisition of 83 TEJAS MK-1A aircraft from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The prime minister, during his visit to the defense PSU, not only announced this substantial order but also took a sortie in one of the TEJAS fighter jets.

The delivery timeline for these TEJAS aircraft is set to commence by February 2024, emphasizing the government commitment to bolstering India defense capabilities and promoting indigenous production, with a specific focus on TEJAS fighter aircraft.

The initial variant of TEJAS joined the Indian Air Force fleet in 2016, and at present, two IAF squadrons are fully operational with TEJAS aircraft, according to official statements.

A noteworthy allocation of over Rs 9,000 crore has been earmarked for the development of TEJAS MK-2, an advanced and more formidable iteration of the TEJAS fighter, as revealed by the sources.

In a strategic move to enhance indigenous capabilities, particularly in the realm of aircraft engines, the government has facilitated the transfer of technology for the manufacturing of the GE engine in India. This negotiation took place during Prime Minister Modi visit to the United States in June 2023, underlining the commitment to fostering self-reliance in defense technology.