Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has signed a landmark contract worth ₹62,370 crore with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) for the supply of 97 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk-1A to the Indian Air Force (IAF).
The agreement, announced through a stock exchange filing and confirmed by the Ministry of Defence, marks one of the largest indigenous defence deals under the ‘Buy (India-IDDM)’ category of the Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020.
Key Details of the Contract
- Number of Aircraft: 97 (68 fighters and 29 twin seaters)
- Contract Value: Over ₹62,370 crore (excluding taxes)
- Delivery Timeline: From 2027-28, over a six-year period
- Indigenous Content: Over 64% with 67 new items added compared to the previous 2021 contract
- Advanced Features: Integration of indigenous UTTAM AESA Radar, Swayam Raksha Kavach, and advanced control surface actuators
- Employment Impact: Estimated 11,750 direct and indirect jobs per year for six years
- Vendor Base: Nearly 105 Indian companies involved in component manufacturing
Boost to Aatmanirbhar Bharat & Defence Manufacturing
The LCA Mk-1A is the most advanced variant of the indigenous fighter jet series and is expected to significantly enhance the IAF’s combat capabilities. With strong participation from Indian defence and aerospace firms, the contract will further strengthen the domestic supply chain, create thousands of jobs, and accelerate India’s journey towards self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
Leave a Reply