As reported by Indian media on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government approved the Ministry of Defense’s request to fund the purchase of a second batch of 97 Tejas LCA Mk 1A light multirole aircraft for the equivalent of 620 billion INR (ca. 25.8 billion USD).
First Serial Tejas LCA Mk 1A / Photos: HAL via X
The order will be awarded to India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which is currently producing the first batch of 73 fighter aircraft and 10 trainers for seven squadrons of the Indian Air Force (Bharatiya Vāyu Senā) under a January 2021 contract worth approximately 456.96 billion INR. The first aircraft from that contract took to the skies on March 28, 2024.
With the conclusion of the second contract, the total order will increase to 180 aircraft. These will replace the MiG-21 Bison fighters, which are finally scheduled to be retired in the coming weeks (although they have not flown since October 2023).
More than 65% of the aircraft’s components will come from the domestic industry. At the same time, the U.S. will supply key systems, including General Electric F404-GE-IN20 engines, Elta Systems EL/M-2052 AESA radars from Israel, and MBDA ASRAAM missiles from the United Kingdom.
The newly produced Tejas LCA Mk 1A aircraft will complement 31 older Tejas Mk 1s in two squadrons (from a lot of 40 aircraft; one was lost in an accident on March 12, 2024). Compared to the Mk 1, the Mk 1A is a deep modernization. In addition to a new engine, radar, and weapons, the aircraft are receiving new mission systems, avionics, and other upgrades.
There is currently no information available on the delivery schedule for the second batch, particularly since fulfillment of the first contract is not expected to be completed until 2029. According to Indian commentators, at this pace, the deliveries of the second batch may only be finalized by 2035. That same year, production of the next-generation multirole fighter, codenamed AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft), is expected to begin.
In the meantime, in December of last year, an additional 12 heavy, two-seat Su-30MKI multirole fighters (NATO reporting name: Flanker-H) were contracted, produced by HAL under a Sukhoi license from Russia, to make up for losses sustained primarily in accidents.
In February of this year, the U.S. offered India the sale of F-35 Lightning II multirole fighters. Still, as of July 31, Bloomberg reported that Modi’s government was rejecting the purchase proposal in response to additional U.S. tariffs (Switzerland is considering a similar step).
India greenlights Rs 62,000 crore Tejas Mark 1A deal; IAF to boost indigenous fleet with 97 fighter jetshttps://t.co/HpG03Beagy
via NaMo App pic.twitter.com/TiLEmwBOPm
— रक्षा मंत्री कार्यालय/ RMO India (@DefenceMinIndia) August 20, 2025
Here are a few more photos from the visit of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence to HAL today. @DefProdnIndia @SpokespersonMoD pic.twitter.com/9eLVO692Yg
— HAL (@HALHQBLR) August 22, 2025
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence visited HAL facilities in Bengaluru today. The 10-member committee was led by its Chairman, Lok Sabha MP Shri Radha Mohan Singh. The committee was received by Dr. D. K. Sunil, CMD, HAL, along with the Directors & senior officials. pic.twitter.com/S4E9lVtOZi
— HAL (@HALHQBLR) August 22, 2025
The aircraft performed aerobatic manoeuvres, enthralling the audience. During the visit, the committee was briefed on HAL’s modernisation plans and the progress of key indigenisation projects. @DefProdnIndia @SpokespersonMoD @RadhamohanBJP
— HAL (@HALHQBLR) August 22, 2025
