India has finalized a landmark Ksh.908 billion ($7.03 billion) agreement to acquire 97 indigenous Tejas Mk-1A fighter jets from state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), in a significant move to modernize its air force. The deal, announced on Thursday, underscores New Delhi’s efforts to strengthen defence capabilities in the face of rising Chinese influence and Pakistan’s military ties with Beijing.
According to the defence ministry, deliveries of the new aircraft are scheduled to begin in the 2027–28 financial year and will span six years. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized that the addition of these fighters will “enhance the operational capability of the Indian Air Force and strengthen defence preparedness.”
The announcement comes just ahead of the Indian Air Force’s final flight of its Russian-made MiG-21 fighters, marking the end of an era. With the retirement of these aircraft, India’s fighter fleet will shrink from 42 approved squadrons to just 29 — a worrying gap highlighted during past conflicts, including a bitter skirmish with Pakistan.
This latest order builds on an earlier 2021 contract for 83 Tejas Mk-1A fighters. However, production was delayed as General Electric (GE), which supplies the engines, faced challenges in restarting production and supply chains post-COVID-19. GE delivered the first engine in March 2024, and Indian officials now expect manufacturing to stabilize in the current fiscal year.
Once the new deal is executed, India’s total Tejas fleet will expand to 220 jets. Officials also signaled that a follow-on agreement with GE for additional engines is in the pipeline, ensuring a steady supply for the fleet’s long-term operations.
By investing in the Tejas program, India aims not only to boost its military strength but also to reduce dependence on foreign defence imports, reinforcing its strategic push for self-reliance in critical defence technologies.
