India on Tuesday approved the project for buying 97 LCA Mark 1A fighter jets for the Indian Air Force.
Defence sources told ANI that the final nod for the acquisition of 97 LCA Mark 1A fighters was given by a high-level meeting on August 19, and will pave the way for Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to produce the aircrafts.
This will be the second order for the LCA Mark 1A fighters, as the government has already placed orders for 83 aircraft a few years ago for around Rs 48,000 crore.
The project will help the Indian Air Force to replace its fleet of MiG- 21s, which are finally being phased out by the government in the next few weeks, they said.
The indigenous fighter aircraft programme, fully backed by Defence Ministry and Air Headquarters is set to be a big boost for promoting indigenisation as well as give major business to the small and medium enterprises engaged in defence business across the country, they said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been pushing for the revival of the HAL, which has bagged orders for building all types of indigenous fighter aircraft, helicopters, along with the engines for them under his government.
