India’s Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) today approved a $6.56 billion (₹48,000 Crore) to buy 83 Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA).
The government will procure 73 LCA Tejas Mk-1A fighter aircraft and 10 LCA Tejas Mk-1 Trainer aircraft.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), manufacturer of the Tejas jet, has already set-up second line manufacturing facilities at its Nasik and Bengaluru Divisions. Equipped with the augmented infrastructure, the company will steer LCA-Mk1A production for timely deliveries to the IAF.
In March 2020, an advanced version of Tejas, SP-21, with features such as air-to-air refuelling and Beyond Visual Range Missile system completed its maiden flight. The naval variant, LCA Navy, also made progress last year. The fighter completed its maiden arrested landing onboard India’s INS Vikramaditya aircraft carrier.