Massive Order for Indigenous Tejas Jets
India Replaces Aging MiG-21s with Homemade Jets. India has signed a $7 billion deal to purchase 97 Tejas fighter jets, marking one of the country’s largest single military aircraft orders. The contract, signed on Thursday, aims to replace India’s aging fleet of Russian-made MiG-21s, which have been in service since the 1960s.
It is pertinent to mention that the United States maintains the world’s largest military air fleet with approximately 13,043 aircraft.
The Tejas, a domestically designed light combat aircraft, has been part of India’s efforts to modernize its air force and reduce reliance on foreign arms. The new jets, a more advanced Mk-1A version, will start delivery between 2027 and 2028 and continue for six years.
Push for Indigenous Defence Production
The deal was signed with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), a state-owned defence firm. According to India’s Ministry of Defence, over 100 Indian companies are involved in building the jets, which now have an indigenous content of more than 64%.
“This contract reflects the trust and confidence of the government and the armed forces in Tejas,” Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said. He added that the aircraft would soon become “the mainstay of the Indian Air Force (IAF).”
MiG-21s Retire After Decades of Service
India will hold a retirement ceremony on Friday for the MiG-21 fighter jets at an air base in Chandigarh. These Soviet-era aircraft have served in multiple conflicts but have also earned a grim reputation due to a high accident rate. Nearly 400 crashes involving MiG-21s have killed about 200 Indian pilots, giving the aircraft the nickname “flying coffin.”
India originally intended to retire the MiG-21s by the mid-1990s, but delays in replacement projects forced upgrades to extend their service life. The final batch of 36 MiG-21s will now exit active duty.
Strategic Shifts and Defence Modernization
India’s shift to indigenous defence production comes amid growing security concerns, particularly with neighboring Pakistan. Tensions peaked in May during a four-day conflict, the worst since the 1999 Kargil War, with both nations claiming to have downed each other’s fighter jets.
In April, India also signed a separate multi-billion-dollar deal to buy 26 Rafale jets from France’s Dassault Aviation, adding to the 36 Rafales already in service. Additionally, India is partnering with a French company to co-develop fighter jet engines.
The country has launched a series of ambitious defence projects this decade. These include a new aircraft carrier, submarines, warships, a long-range hypersonic missile test, and the approval of a prototype Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). A new helicopter factory has also opened to further support self-reliance in defence production.
