Ministry of Defence Orders 97 LCA Mk1A Aircraft from HAL
The Ministry of Defence has finalised a contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the supply of 97 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A to the Indian Air Force. The agreement, valued at more than INR 62,370 crore excluding taxes, covers 68 single-seat fighters and 29 twin-seat variants. Deliveries are planned to start in 2027–28 and will extend over six years.
HAL announced that the aircraft will feature more than 64 percent indigenous content. Compared with the earlier LCA Mk1A contract signed in 2021, the new order incorporates 67 additional items. Key indigenously developed systems to be integrated include the UTTAM Active Electronically Scanned Array Radar, Swayam Raksha Kavach, and control surface actuators.
The programme is supported by a supply chain of about 105 Indian companies directly engaged in manufacturing components. HAL indicated that production would create close to 11,750 direct and indirect jobs annually throughout the six-year delivery schedule.
The procurement has been categorised under the ‘Buy (India-IDDM)’ provision of the Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, based in Bengaluru, is a public sector aerospace and defence company involved in the design, development, production, and maintenance of aircraft, helicopters, engines, and related systems.