HAL awarded contract for 83 LCAs in₹48,000 cr. deal

At the 13th edition of Aero India in Bengaluru, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited was awarded the contract to manufacture 83 Light Combat Aircraft Tejas for the Indian Air Force at an estimated cost of ₹48,000 crore while India showcased a range of indigenous military platforms to the world. Stressing on indigenisation, he observed, “We have reached an infliction point in domestic defence manufacturing and the trajectory can only be upwards.” LCA contract On the LCA contract, he said, “This contract is the biggest Make in India defence contract till date.” The contract includes 73 LCA Tejas Mk-1A fighter aircraft and 10 LCA Tejas Mk-1 trainer aircraft at a cost of ₹45,696 crore along with design and development of infrastructure sanctions worth ₹1,202 crore. Air Chief’s call Speaking at the Air Chiefs conclave, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria said, “globally we are facing unprecedented levels of ‘uncertainty, volatility and interconnected threats’.” In this regard he pitched for greater regional coordination. Air display As part of efforts to boost defence exports, HAL displaed an Aatmanidbhar formation consisting of its platforms- LCA trainer, HTT-40 trainer, Intermediate Jet Trainer?, Advanced Hawk Mk-132 and Civil Dornier Do-228.