NEW DELHI: Under the Rs 66,500-crore contract inked by Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) with the defence ministry on Thursday, 97 additional Tejas Mark-1 A fighter aircraft will be delivered by the PSU over a six-year period beginning 2027-28. Significantly, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is yet to get even the first of the 83 'improved' Tejas Mark-1A jets ordered by the ministry for Rs 46,898 crore in 2021. Under the agreement, the first jet was to be delivered by Feb last year, with all 83 coming in by Feb 2028. The new contract entails delivery of 68 fighters and 29 twin-seat trainers, along with associated equipment, at a cost of over Rs. 62,370 crore, which goes up to around Rs 66,500 crore if taxes are included. TOI was the first to report that the new deal would be inked on Thursday.

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