New Delhi: India’s homegrown fighter jet programme is poised for a landmark moment, with the first two Tejas Mark 1A aircraft set to be delivered to the Indian Air Force by the end of September. The announcement came from Defence Secretary R.K. Singh at NDTV’s Defence Summit on Saturday.
Calling self-reliance in defence a “strategic imperative”, Singh stressed that India must be able to meet the bulk of its security needs domestically if it is to safeguard its autonomy. “Since 2014, the Modi government’s focus on defence self-reliance has been relentless. The only way to preserve our strategic autonomy is by producing and sustaining most of our defence platforms at home,” he said.
Developed jointly by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), Tejas is India’s first indigenous light combat aircraft. The Mark 1A variant—an upgraded version of the original—comes equipped with advanced electronic warfare systems, an AESA radar, beyond-visual-range missile capability, and improved serviceability, making it a significant leap forward in capability.
In 2021, the IAF inked a ₹48,000-crore deal with HAL for 83 Tejas Mark 1A jets, one of the largest contracts in India’s defence manufacturing history. Deliveries will be phased through 2029, with the first pair now just weeks away from induction.
Defence experts say the Tejas programme is more than just a fighter jet—it represents India’s effort to cut dependence on foreign suppliers at a time of shifting global equations and mounting regional threats.
As Singh noted, the success of Tejas Mark 1A aligns seamlessly with the government’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ mission, and is a critical step in ensuring India’s long-term military and strategic autonomy.
