The Union government has cleared the procurement of 97 LCA Tejas Mk-1A fighter jets for the Indian Air Force at a cost of ₹62,000 crore, paving the way for Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to start production. Read: The Latest Defence Current Affairs Notes here
This is the second major order for the Tejas Mk-1A, after the earlier contract for 83 aircraft worth ₹48,000 crore, raising the total to 180 jets.
The Tejas Mk-1A, with 65% indigenous components, comes with upgraded avionics and radar systems, offering a significant improvement over the initial 40 LCAs already in service.
These jets will gradually replace the retiring MiG-21 fleet.
The first Tejas squadron was inducted in 2016, and at present, two IAF squadrons operate the aircraft.
Alongside this, the Defence Acquisition Council recently approved the induction of 156 LCH Prachand helicopters and the upgrade of 84 Su-30MKI fighters, taking the total defence outlay in these projects to ₹1.6 lakh crore.
Read : The Latest Defence Current Affairs Notes here
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