New Delhi, Sept 26 – India on Thursday signed a $7 billion contract for 97 indigenously designed Tejas fighter jets to replace its ageing Soviet-era MiG-21 fleet, marking a major step in the country’s defence modernisation push.
The Ministry of Defence said it has inked the deal with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for 68 single-seat and 29 twin-seat Tejas Mk-1A fighters. The jets will be delivered between 2027 and 2034, with production to begin next year.
The Tejas, meaning brilliance in Hindi, was first commissioned in 2016. The latest Mk-1A variant is described as the “most advanced version” of the homegrown fighter jet, featuring improved avionics, radar systems, and weapons integration.
“This will be a potent platform for the Indian Air Force as it replaces the outgoing MiG-21s,” the ministry said.
India is retiring the MiG-21s after decades of service, with a farewell flypast planned in Chandigarh on Friday. The Soviet-designed aircraft entered service in the 1960s but suffered numerous crashes in recent years, sparking safety concerns.
The move comes amid heightened tensions with Pakistan and China, including a brief but intense air clash in May – the worst since the 1999 Kargil conflict.
India is also ramping up local defence production with:
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26 Rafale jets ordered from France in April
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Hypersonic missile tests including the railway-based Agni-Prime system
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A new aircraft carrier, warships, submarines, and an expansive helicopter factory launched this decade
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A fighter jet engine partnership with French firms announced in August
The Tejas order marks one of India’s largest-ever indigenous defence contracts, signalling New Delhi’s push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing and reduced import dependency.