India has signed a 623.70 billion rupees ($7.03 billion) deal with state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) for Tejas Mk-1A fighter aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF), the defense ministry said in a statement on X on Thursday.
The order is critical for the IAF, whose fighter jets strength is fast depleting, and comes at a time when New Delhi is seeking to bolster its home-grown defense capabilities in the aftermath of a deadly conflict with old foe Pakistan.
HAL, whose earnings have been pressured by delays in the supply of aircraft, has promised faster deliveries.
