By News Karnataka Editorial Team
Copyright newskarnataka
New Delhi: India to boost Air Force strength with Tejas jets
India is reportedly on the verge of signing its largest-ever fighter jet contract worth Rs 66,500 crore for 97 Tejas Mark-1A aircraft with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The contract is expected to be finalised as early as Thursday, just a day before the scheduled retirement of 36 MiG-21 jets, which will reduce the Indian Air Force (IAF) to a historic low of 29 fighter squadrons. Each squadron typically comprises 16-18 aircraft.
The deal comes even as the IAF awaits deliveries of 83 “improved” Tejas jets ordered in February 2021 for Rs 46,898 crore. HAL expects to deliver the first two jets from this 2021 order by October, marking a key milestone in the modernisation of India’s fighter fleet.
Strategic context and regional comparisons
An internal IAF review following Operation Sindoor, where Pakistan deployed J-10 aircraft armed with PL-15 beyond-visual-range missiles, highlighted the urgent need for additional fighter jets to meet regional threats. The review recommended that India expand its force beyond the currently authorised 42.5 squadrons to maintain strategic parity and deterrence in the region.
Currently, Pakistan operates 25 squadrons and is expected to acquire at least 40 Chinese J-35A fifth-generation stealth jets. China, on the other hand, fields more than four times India’s fighter, bomber, and force-multiplier assets, reinforcing the need for rapid modernisation of the IAF fleet.
Contract specifics and delivery timeline
The Cabinet Committee on Security approved the acquisition of 97 additional jets on August 19, 2025. According to sources, the IAF insisted that the new contract proceed only after the first deliveries from the 2021 order, which has a scheduled delivery timeline between February 2024 and February 2028.
The new batch of 97 Tejas Mark-1A aircraft will strengthen India’s fighter capabilities with indigenous technology and advanced avionics. The jets are equipped to carry Astra beyond-visual-range missiles, advanced short-range missiles, and laser-guided bombs, pending successful completion of firing trials.
HAL and India’s defence manufacturing push
HAL, India’s premier aerospace manufacturer, is expected to play a key role in meeting the IAF’s modernisation requirements. The Tejas Mark-1A jets are designed and manufactured domestically, supporting the government’s “Make in India” and “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiatives.
The addition of these jets will provide the IAF with enhanced operational readiness, indigenous technology leverage, and cost efficiencies. Defence experts suggest that this deal is a crucial step in addressing capability gaps caused by the retirement of legacy aircraft such as MiG-21s and ageing MiG-29s.
The Rs 66,500 crore Tejas deal represents a landmark moment in India’s defence history. By modernising its air fleet with indigenous fighter jets, the IAF aims to maintain operational parity with regional adversaries while boosting domestic aerospace manufacturing. The first deliveries from both the 2021 and 2025 orders will be closely watched as India moves towards a future-ready, self-reliant air force.
