97 New Tejas Aircraft to Join Indian Air Force Fleet

In Brief

• Indian Air Force's strength to increase

• 97 New Tejas Aircraft to Join Air Force Fleet

• New contract worth 66,500 crores for Tejas purchase

(Tejas jet) To strengthen the Indian Air Force, the central government is preparing to sign a contract worth a whopping 66,500 crore rupees with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the purchase of 97 Tejas Mark-1A fighter jets today. This contract is set to become the largest fighter jet purchase agreement to date. As a result, it is reported that 97 new Tejas jets will be inducted into the Air Force fleet.

This process has been expedited against the backdrop of the decommissioning of MiG-21 aircraft. After the retirement of 36 MiG-21 aircraft, the strength of the Air Force will be reduced to just 29 squadrons. On average, a squadron consists of 16 to 18 aircraft. Previously, in 2021, a contract worth 46,898 crore rupees was signed for 83 upgraded Tejas aircraft.

However, according to that agreement, the Air Force has not yet received the aircraft. HAL has informed that the first two aircraft under this agreement will be delivered in October. The Air Force has clarified that the aircraft will only be accepted after successful testing of the necessary weapons.