MoD Signs Rs. 62,370 Crore Contract with HAL for 97 LCA Mk1A Aircraft for Indian Air Force
The delivery of the aircraft is scheduled to begin in 2027-28 and is expected to be completed over a period of six years
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) today signed a landmark contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the procurement of 97 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A, including 68 single-seaters and 29 twin-seaters, along with associated equipment, for the Indian Air Force (IAF). The deal, valued at over Rs. 62,370 crore (excluding taxes), marks a significant milestone in India’s defence indigenisation efforts.
The delivery of the aircraft is scheduled to begin in 2027-28 and is expected to be completed over a period of six years.
The LCA Mk1A will feature an indigenous content of over 64% and incorporates 67 additional items compared to the previous LCA Mk1A contract signed in January 2021. Advanced indigenously developed systems such as the UTTAM Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar, Swayam Raksha Kavach, and control surface actuators will be integrated, further strengthening India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives in defence manufacturing.
The project is backed by a strong vendor ecosystem, with nearly 105 Indian companies directly involved in the manufacture of detailed components. Production is projected to generate approximately 11,750 direct and indirect jobs per year over six years, giving a major boost to the domestic aerospace and defence industry.
The acquisition falls under the ‘Buy (India-IDDM)’ category of the Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020 and underscores the Government’s commitment to indigenisation and self-reliance in defence production. The LCA Mk1A, being the most advanced variant of India’s indigenously designed fighter aircraft, will serve as a key platform to meet the operational requirements of the Indian Air Force.
