New Delhi - The move to acquire 100 more Tejas Mark-1A fighter aircraft from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has been made with the aim of bolstering the domestic aerospace sector and replacing the aging fleet of MiG-21 fighter planes. The officials have also disclosed that the project proposals have been submitted to the Defense Ministry, and the necessary clearance for the order is anticipated in the near future.

Plans are underway to introduce up to 300 Tejas Mark-1A fighter jets into the ranks of the Indian Air Force within the coming years.

Tejas Mark-1A stands as a cutting-edge, indigenously conceived, developed, and manufactured fighter aircraft of the modern 4-plus generation, featuring more than 65 percent domestically produced components. Equipped with a homegrown Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, Beyond Visual Range (BVR) Missiles, a sophisticated Electronic Warfare (EW) Suite, and Air-to-Air Refueling (AAR) capabilities, the Tejas MK 1A is poised to fulfill the operational requisites of the IAF.

In a recent development, IAF Chief VR Chaudhari conducted a comprehensive review of the Tejas Mark-1A development project alongside all stakeholders. He highlighted how the aircraft has become emblematic of the IAF's commitment to achieving self-reliance in its aircraft fleet.

Going back to 2021, the IAF had previously inked an agreement with HAL for the supply of 73 LCA Tejas Mark-1A fighter planes as well as 10 LCA Tejas Mark-1 aircraft.