India has signed a $7 billion deal with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to supply 97 Tejas Mk-1A fighter jets, part of a major push to modernize its air force and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers.
The contract, worth 623.7 billion rupees, was announced Thursday and highlights Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Make in India” drive to boost domestic defense production.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said the agreement reflects the government’s confidence in the homegrown Tejas jet, which is set to become the backbone of the Indian Air Force in the years ahead, according to dw.com
The move comes as India retires its ageing fleet of Soviet-era MiG-21 fighters. On Friday, the air force will fly 36 of them for the last time, reducing the fleet to just 29 jets.
Analysts note that India had planned to phase out the MiGs decades ago but kept them in service through upgrades amid tensions with th neighboring nation.
This latest order builds on a 2021 contract for 83 Tejas jets, which has faced delays due to supply chain disruptions affecting engines from US manufacturer General Electric.
Alongside its domestic purchases, India has also been diversifying suppliers. In April, New Delhi finalized a deal with France’s Dassault Aviation to buy 26 Rafale jets, adding to the 36 Rafales already in service.
The new HAL contract underscores India’s ambition to strengthen its military capabilities while positioning itself as a global hub for defense manufacturing.
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