Aero India 2021 Is Marked For Indian Defence Capabilities Amid The Biggest Ever Defence Deal for 83 Tejas LCA Combat Jets With HAL

Aero India 2021 gets as many as 601 exhibitors - 523 Indian and 78 foreign while 14 countries have confirmed participation at the Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bangalore.

But the highlight is the biggest ever make in India contract inked formally with Defence Public Sector Undertaking HAL today. 

The government on Wednesday formally sealed the Rs 48,000 crore deal to procure 83 Tejas light combat aircraft from state-run aerospace behemoth Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.

The contract was handed over by Director General (Acquisition), Ministry of Defence, V L Kantha Rao to Chairman and Managing Director of HAL, R Madhavan, at the inaugural ceremony of Aero India-2021, the country’s premier defence and aerospace show, in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

"I am very happy that HAL has got orders for development of 83 new indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) – Tejas MK1A from Indian Air Force valued at more than Rs. 48000 Crores, it is probably the biggest 'Make in India' Defence contract till date," Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said after the contract was signed.

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last month approved the deal for procurement of the 73 Tejas Mk-IA variant and 10 LCA Tejas Mk-I trainer aircraft from the HAL to boost IAF’s combat prowess.

R. Madhavan, CMD, HAL set the deadline that deliveries would begin 36 months from the signing of the contract and delivery of all 83 jets would be completed in six years. The IAF would have 83 LCA Mk1 jets by the end of 2030. 

With such large orders, HAL will be tasked  to forge the defence industrial manufacturing base with hundred of private ancillary industries. Though the delivery of past orders of LCA Tejas older version has gone beyond the schedule. Before the final contract, in the last month,  Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's (HAL) announced its  second Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) production line which was inaugurated by defence minister Rajanath Singh in Bengaluru.

The 123 Tejas fighters for the IAF will be in three different variants and powered by a General Electric engine. So far 20 have been made in what is called the initial operational clearance version. Another 20 are being made in what is called the final operational clearance version. These 123 jets will be followed by the Mark-II variant which are medium weight fighters.

LCA Tejas Assembly Line , HAL (Photo credit-manish jha/BW

Thrust on Developing Domestic Manufacturing and Capabilities

Aero India 2021 is marked for showcasing the indigenous capabilities of Indian defense industry. Indian defence industry also takes center stage in the the wake of Covid19 induced travel embargo, limiting the presence of foreign defence giants. The number of foreign exhibitors is down from 165 to 78 and the number of foreign delegations are limited to 14. 

States like Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are pitching for the defence corridors along with Karnataka, Telangana and Gujarat. Investment in defence corridors is major thrust area. Besides, the newly minted Defence Investor Cell which is recent initiative of Ministry of Defence is also pitching for MSMEs in defence.

Prime Minister Modi also invited the global defence and aerospace entities. He twittted: "Aero India is a wonderful platform for collaborations in these areas. The Government of India has brought futuristic reforms in these sectors, which will add impetus to our quest to become Aatmanirbhar."

Aero India 2021 is themed on the issues which aim to drive thrust on the developing defence ecosystems. Some of the burning topics which will drive debate and discourse in the event are on Defence Corridors, future of Civil aviation in India, Drones and Counter Drones, Indian Helicopters Story, R&D, Aero Engines and MRO, Critical and Strategic material and investment opportunities.

Keeping the spirit of indigenous capability, show began with The 'Aatmanirbhar Formation Flight' consisting HAL products such as LCA trainer (LIFT Trainer), HTT-40, IJT, Advanced Hawk Mk 132 and Civil Do-228  in a special formation, showcasing the spectrum of trainers and signifying self-sufficiency in the trainer segment. HTT-40, Advanced Hawk Mk 132 and Civil Do-228 will be available for customer demonstration flights. Sukhoi 30 MKI, Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv, Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) take part in the flying display while Static display included Do 228, Hindustan Turbo Trainer (HTT)-40 and LUH and ALH Mk III.