As India bids farewell to the legendary MiG-21s, which served as the backbone of the Indian Air Force (IAF) for over six decades, a new chapter begins with the induction of the indigenously built Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A. The Ministry of Defence has signed a landmark agreement with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) worth ₹62,370 crore to supply 97 Tejas Mk1A aircraft, underlining India’s shift towards self-reliance in advanced defence technologies.
The deal encompasses 68 single-seat fighters and 29 twin-seat trainers, with deliveries scheduled to commence in 2027–28 and stretch across six years. This large-scale acquisition falls under the ‘Buy (India-IDDM)’ category of the Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020, ensuring maximum local participation.
The Tejas Mk1A is not merely an upgraded variant—it embodies India’s technological progress. Compared to the earlier contract signed in January 2021, the new batch integrates 67 additional indigenous systems, including the state-of-the-art UTTAM Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, self-protection suites, and advanced control actuators.
Boost to Indigenous Defence Ecosystem
HAL has confirmed that more than 64% of the aircraft’s components will be sourced domestically. Around 105 Indian companies are directly involved in producing key elements, reinforcing the ‘Make in India’ and Atmanirbhar Bharat vision. The project is expected to create nearly 11,750 direct and indirect jobs each year, revitalising the aerospace manufacturing sector and nurturing a robust supply chain across the country.
Strengthening the IAF’s Combat Power
For the IAF, the induction of Tejas Mk1A comes at a crucial time. The phasing out of MiG-21 squadrons has left a gap in operational capacity. With its advanced avionics, reliability, and multirole capabilities, the Mk1A will bridge this void while also enhancing squadron strength. The aircraft’s agility and versatility position it as a formidable asset in modern warfare, ensuring India’s preparedness against evolving threats.
Farewell to the MiG-21s
On September 26, the IAF will officially decommission the last remaining MiG-21 jets at a solemn ceremony in Chandigarh—the very place where the aircraft was inducted more than sixty years ago. The Number 23 Squadron, also known as the “Panthers,” will lead the final flypast, with Air Chief Marshal Singh himself piloting the concluding sortie under the call sign ‘Badal 3’.
The MiG-21, a symbol of India’s aerial dominance for decades, will be remembered for its decisive role in numerous conflicts. Its retirement, however, makes way for a generation of fighters designed and produced within India’s own borders.
A Strategic Shift
The HAL-IAF contract marks more than just a defence procurement—it reflects India’s steady march toward technological sovereignty and global competitiveness in aerospace manufacturing. As the MiG-21s bow out, the Tejas Mk1A steps in not only as a replacement but as a representation of India’s scientific ambition and industrial capability.
With this transition, India is not just modernising its air fleet but also fortifying its defence ecosystem, creating jobs, and sending a strong signal of self-reliance. The era of borrowed wings is ending; the age of indigenous flight has truly begun.
(With agency inputs)
