New Delhi: In a major step to strengthen indigenous defence manufacturing, India on Tuesday approved the procurement of 97 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mark 1A fighter jets for the Indian Air Force (IAF) under a ₹62,000-crore deal.
The clearance, granted at a high-level meeting, will allow Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to begin production of the aircraft, defence sources confirmed. This is the second major order for the LCA Mark 1A, following the government’s earlier purchase of 83 jets worth about ₹48,000 crore.
The new fleet will help the IAF replace its ageing MiG-21 aircraft, which are being phased out in the coming weeks. The LCA programme, fully supported by the Ministry of Defence and Air Headquarters, is expected to drive indigenisation while generating significant business opportunities for small and medium enterprises in the defence sector across India.
The LCA Mark 1A is an advanced version of the indigenous fighter, equipped with upgraded avionics and radars. The new order will feature over 65% indigenous content, reinforcing the government’s Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives in aerospace and defence.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has strongly backed HAL’s revival, had earlier undertaken a sortie in the trainer variant of the LCA—marking the first-ever instance of an Indian Prime Minister flying in a combat aircraft.
The plan to expand LCA orders was first publicly outlined by former IAF chief Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari during a visit to Spain. Alongside the Mark 1A programme, HAL is also expected to secure future contracts for more than 200 LCA Mark 2 fighters and a similar number of next-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
