Govt okays purchase of 83 Tejas Mk1A fighter jets for Rs 48,000 cr


New Delhi, Jan 13 (IANS): The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), the highest decision-making body for security issues headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved the purchase of 83 Tejas Mark 1A fighter jets at a cost of Rs 48,000 crore, including infrastructure.

The CCS approved the largest indigenous defence procurement deal worth about Rs 48,000 crore to strengthen the Indian Air Force's fleet of homegrown Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)-Tejas. "This deal will be a game changer for self reliance in the Indian defence manufacturing," Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said.

The LCA-Tejas is going to be the backbone of the IAF fighter fleet in the years to come. LCA-Tejas incorporates a large number of new technologies many of which were never attempted in India. The indigenous content of LCA-Tejas is 50 per cent in the Mk1A variant which will be enhanced to 60 per cent.

The Light Combat Aircraft Tejas is indigenously designed by the Aircraft Development Agency (ADA) under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

The HAL has already set up second line manufacturing facilities at its Nasik and Bengaluru Divisions. Equipped with the augmented infrastructure the HAL will steer LCA-Mk1A production for timely deliveries to the IAF.

"The decision taken today will considerably expand the current LCA ecosystem and help in creating new job opportunities," the minister said.

HAL follows a system integrator model in the LCA Mk1A programme and acts as an umbrella organisation, fostering manufacturing and design capabilities in private industry.

The first squadron of the Light Combat Aircraft, Tejas was raised in 2016.

The manufacturing of 83 LCA Tejas jets will not only be a boost for 'Make in India' or self reliance but help in filling the gaps in the Indian Air Force as its current fleet is down to 30 squadrons, way below the sanctioned strength of 42.

Each squadron comprises 18 fighter jets. These 83 jets are in addition to the 40 Mark 1 already ordered by the IAF.

Last year in March, the Ministry of Defence gave the go-ahead for the purchase of 83 Tejas Mark 1A aircraft for the Indian Air Force.

This was a major breakthrough as after cost negotiations for over three years between the Ministry of Defence and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, the price for procurement of the advanced variant of the indigenously-made Light Combat Aircraft Tejas was slashed.

The IAF has 20 Mark-1 jets of the earlier variant while another 20 are to be delivered.

 

  

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Comment on this article

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Wed, Jan 13 2021

    Please return Ambani's Dassault Rafale Aircraft's ...

    DisAgree [10] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Anilkumar, Mangalore

    Wed, Jan 13 2021

    Is it only just buying of fighter jets or is there more to it? I smell something which is in hidden agenda. Will someone like Reliance get a piece of cake from this?

    DisAgree [9] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Veer, Nagpur

    Wed, Jan 13 2021

    Why do we need 83 more Tejasvi fighter jets when we already have 5 Rafael fighter jets which can unanimously defend and defeat any enemy aggression as per govt’s assurance and assessment. Is govt losing confidence on Rafael or depletion of its kitty??????????.............

    DisAgree [15] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Deshbhakt, Mangalore

    Wed, Jan 13 2021

    Not losing confidence in Rafale, Farm Bills have backfired on them, hence the foundation is shaky.

    DisAgree [10] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • Deshbhakt, Mangalore

    Wed, Jan 13 2021

    Purchase of fighter jets at these difficult times ? Did Modi government get any vibes that they will be in the opposition after 2024 ? Hence order every possible venture and pocket maximum you can ?

    Well, please don't defend the government's decision and lambast at my comment, we have seen Rafale docs going missing to escape investigation and a novice given manufacturing contract.

    DisAgree [10] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Daniel, Mangalore

    Wed, Jan 13 2021

    At this same difficult times china is improving it's military strength and is also helping improve pakisthans military strength. India faces a risk of a 2 fledged war at any time. It's always better we prepare ourselves also. Why wait for the last moment. We shouldn't give our enemies a weak link as their advantage. This addition will only strengthen us even though there's Rafael..

    DisAgree [3] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • Deshbhakt, Mangalore

    Wed, Jan 13 2021

    Did India need this situation ? Of preferring weapons over starving citizens ??

    Swinging on Sabarmati banks and gatecrash on birthday party paid only this ?? Next time, elect somebody who knows diplomacy, not the one who walks around with antlers.

    DisAgree [8] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Daniel, Mangalore

    Wed, Jan 13 2021

    So tomorrow if a war breaks out and we are not able to counter china and Pakistan that's OK?

    DisAgree [3] Agree [8] Report Abuse

  • Deshbhakt, Mangalore

    Wed, Jan 13 2021

    Daniel,

    Diplomacy is not aggravating neighbours but keeping all in place. You fight and win war but citizens perish of hunger proves what ? What is India's position today ? Can we afford a war ?

    Nevertheless, 83 figher jets will be delivered overnight ?

    DisAgree [8] Agree [5] Report Abuse


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Title: Govt okays purchase of 83 Tejas Mk1A fighter jets for Rs 48,000 cr



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