In what is being described as the biggest ever deal for the indigenous fighter aircraft, a contract for 97 Tejas Mark-1A jets is set to be signed today between the Ministry of Defence and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Defence sources told India Today.

The mega Rs 66,500 crore deal is expected to be officially announced on Thursday, notably just one day before the retirement of the Indian Air Force’s last two squadrons of MiG-21 fighter jets.

This new contract follows an earlier agreement inked in February 2021 for 83 Tejas Mark-1A aircraft worth Rs 46,898 crore, the timelines for which have reportedly faced delays.

On August 19 this year, the Prime Minister-led Cabinet Committee on Security approved the acquisition of an additional 97 Tejas Mark-1A jets, paving the way for this s

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