Defence Ministry signs ₹62,370 crore contract with HAL for 97 LCA Mk1A jets
The Ministry of Defence signed a contract worth over ₹62,370 crore with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited on 25 September 2025 for 97 Light Combat Aircraft Mk1A for the Indian Air Force.
Summary
The Ministry of Defence signed a contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on 25 September 2025 for 97 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A – 68 fighters and 29 twin-seaters – with associated equipment for the Indian Air Force, at a cost of over ₹62,370 crore excluding taxes. Deliveries will begin in 2027-28 and be completed over six years. The aircraft will have over 64% indigenous content, with 67 more indigenous items than the previous LCA Mk1A contract of January 2021, including the UTTAM AESA radar and the Swayam Raksha Kavach. About 105 Indian companies will make components, and production is expected to generate about 11,750 direct and indirect jobs a year. The purchase is under the 'Buy (India-IDDM)' category of the Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020.
Key facts
- Signed
- 25 Sep 2025, MoD with HAL
- Aircraft
- 97 LCA Mk1A – 68 fighters + 29 twin-seaters
- Cost
- Over ₹62,370 crore (excl. taxes)
- Deliveries
- From 2027-28, over six years
- Indigenous content
- Over 64%; UTTAM AESA radar, Swayam Raksha Kavach
- Previous Mk1A contract
- January 2021
- Category
- Buy (India-IDDM), DAP 2020
- Jobs
- ~11,750 a year; ~105 Indian vendors
Practice MCQs 5 questions
How many LCA Mk1A aircraft did the Defence Ministry contract from HAL on 25 September 2025?
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Correct answer: A — 97
The contract covers 97 LCA Mk1A aircraft – 68 fighters and 29 twin-seaters.
What is the approximate value of the LCA Mk1A contract signed with HAL on 25 September 2025 (excluding taxes)?
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Correct answer: C — ₹62,370 crore
The contract is worth over ₹62,370 crore, excluding taxes.
Under which Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020 category is the 97 LCA Mk1A purchase made?
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Correct answer: B — Buy (India-IDDM)
The acquisition is under the 'Buy (India-IDDM)' category of DAP 2020.
Which indigenous radar is among the systems to be integrated in the 97 LCA Mk1A aircraft ordered in September 2025?
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Correct answer: D — UTTAM AESA
Indigenous systems to be integrated include the UTTAM AESA radar, Swayam Raksha Kavach and control surface actuators.
Consider the following statements about the LCA Mk1A contract of September 2025: 1. Deliveries will begin in 2027-28. 2. The aircraft will have an indigenous content of over 80%. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct: deliveries start in 2027-28 and will be completed over six years. Statement 2 is wrong: indigenous content will be over 64%.