New Delhi: India is poised to sign a landmark contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to procure 97 Tejas Mark-1A fighter jets worth ₹66,500 crore, marking the largest-ever order for indigenous fighter aircraft. The contract, expected to be finalized soon, aims to bolster the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) dwindling fighter strength amid the phased retirement of aging fleets like the MiG-21.
Largest Indigenous Fighter Jet Contract in India’s History
The upcoming deal comes on the heels of the retirement of 36 MiG-21 fighters scheduled for September 26, which will reduce the IAF’s operational squadrons to an all-time low of 29. The 97 jets will help bridge the gap caused by retiring aircraft and strengthen India’s defense capabilities.
However, the IAF has yet to receive the first unit from a prior ₹46,898 crore order placed in February 2021 for 83 Tejas Mark-1A jets, raising concerns about HAL’s production timelines. HAL claims the first two jets will be delivered by October 2025.
Tejas: India’s Indigenous 4.5 Generation Fighter Jet
The Tejas, designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and manufactured by HAL, is a lightweight, single-engine, delta-wing multirole fighter classified as a 4.5-generation aircraft. Powered by General Electric’s F-404 engines, the Tejas is intended to replace aging fighter jets in the IAF.
While the Tejas represents a significant milestone for India’s indigenous aerospace industry, defense analysts like Lt. Col. (Retd.) JS Sodhi note that by the time these jets are fully inducted, global powers like the US, Russia, and China are already deploying fifth- and even sixth-generation fighters. This has led to social media critiques likening the Tejas to “a bullock cart in the era of Ferrari,” highlighting the technology gap.
Strategic Context: Rising Threats and Competition
India’s air defense challenges are compounded by Pakistan’s air force operating 25 fighter squadrons and expected to soon acquire at least 40 J-35A fifth-generation stealth jets from China. Moreover, China’s rapid advancement in fighter aircraft technology, including bombers and force multipliers, has heightened the strategic threat.
Following Operation Sindoor, where Pakistan deployed Chinese J-10 fighters armed with PL-15 beyond-visual-range missiles, the IAF’s need for advanced capabilities is more urgent than ever.
IAF’s Urgent Requirement: 40 Jets Per Year
The IAF’s internal assessment indicates that to remain combat-ready, India requires at least 40 new fighter jets every year—far above its current sanctioned strength of 42.5 squadrons. Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh has repeatedly warned of the severe shortage and emphasized the slow progress of the Tejas program.
The original contract for 83 Tejas jets had a delivery timeline from February 2024 to February 2028, but delays in engine supply and production have hindered progress. HAL signed a ₹5,375 crore contract with General Electric in August 2021 for 99 F-404 engines, of which only three have been delivered so far.
Upcoming Deals and Future Prospects
HAL plans to sign another deal for 113 additional GE-F404 engines valued at around $1 billion to support the new 97-jet order. The IAF, however, insists that the first delivered jets be equipped with ASTRA beyond-visual-range and ASRA advanced short-range air-to-air missiles, ensuring enhanced combat capability.
To address long-term modernization, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project, led by ADA and involving private industry participation. Yet, Air Chief Marshal Singh himself has acknowledged that no project has been completed on schedule, highlighting persistent challenges in indigenous defense manufacturing.
Conclusion: A Critical Moment for India’s Air Power
The Tejas Mark-1A deal marks a significant milestone in India’s pursuit of self-reliance in defense technology. However, the delay in deliveries and the evolving geopolitical landscape emphasize the urgency for accelerated production and technological upgrades. With adversaries rapidly modernizing their fleets, India’s ability to maintain air superiority hinges on timely delivery and capability enhancements of platforms like Tejas and the upcoming AMCA.
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