HAL bags Rs 65,000 Cr tender by Defence Ministry

by Psu Connect
Date: 13-04-24

The contract is said to be the largest order for indigenous military hardware to be placed by the Indian government ever.

HAL bags Rs 65,000 Cr tender by Defence Ministry

New Delhi: The Defence Ministry has issued a tender to the public sector firm Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for purchasing made-in-India 97 LCA Mark 1A fighter jets expected to be worth over Rs 65,000 crore.

The contract is said to be the largest order for indigenous military hardware to be placed by the Indian government ever. The tender was issued by the Defence Ministry to the HAL recently and they have been given three months to respond to it.

The programme will assist the IAF to replace its fleet of MiG-21s, MiG-23s and MiG-27s which have been either phased out or are set to be phased out or are set to be phased out in the near future, as per government officials.

The indigenous fighter aircraft programme aided by the Defence Ministry and Air Headquarters will give a big boost to enhance indigenisation as well as give major business to the small and medium enterprises mainly engaged in defence business across the country.

The decision to buy 97 more of these planes came around after the Air Chief held a review meeting of the indigenous fighter jet programme with all entities involved including the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. The indigenous content in the new LCA Mark1As is going to be more than 65 per cent.

The programme is committed to bring intensification in Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives of the nation. More importantly, it is a flag bearer of India’s self-reliance in the aerospace sector.

The HAL is also set to bag deals for buying over 200 LCA Mark 2s and similar number of fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft.