The Defence Ministry on Thursday sealed a Rs 62,370 crore deal with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) to procure 97 Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) for the Indian Air Force (IAF). This contract signing came over a month after the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the mega procurement.
This marks the second major contract awarded to the state-run aerospace giant. Earlier, in February 2021, the Defence Ministry signed a Rs 48,000 crore deal with HAL for the procurement of 83 Tejas MK-1A jets for the IAF.
According to the ministry, the new contract covers 97 Tejas Light Combat Aircraft Mk1A along with associated equipment at a cost of Rs 62,370 crore (excluding taxes). The advanced jets will feature the Swayam Raksha Kavach system and control actuators, with over 64 percent indigenous content and 67 new indigenous items incorporated.
Deliveries under this contract are scheduled to begin in 2027-28.
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**Agni-Prime Missile Successfully Test-Fired from Rail-Based Launcher**
India has successfully conducted a test firing of the Agni-Prime missile from a rail-based mobile launcher system, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced on Thursday.
The Agni-Prime is a next-generation missile designed to cover a range of up to 2,000 kilometres, equipped with various advanced features. This test marks the first-ever launch from a specially designed rail-based mobile launcher.
The rail-based system provides the missile with cross-country mobility on the rail network, allowing for rapid deployment and launch with a short reaction time.
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https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/defence-ministry-inks-rs-62370-crore-deal-for-97-tejas-jets-23595849
