India has signed a substantial $7 billion order for 97 domestically designed and developed Tejas Mk1A fighter jets, marking one of the largest single orders for fighter aircraft in the country's history . The contract with government-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) includes 68 single seat fighters and 29 twin-seat trainer aircraft, with deliveries scheduled to commence in 2027-28 and continue over six years . The Indian Ministry of Defence emphasized that the aircraft boasts an indigenous content of over 64 percent, involving more than 100 Indian companies in its manufacturing, as part of a broader push to boost domestic defence production . Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated the Tejas will become the "mainstay" of the Indian Air Force (IAF) in the coming years, aiming to strengthen defence preparedness.
The large order coincides with the final retirement of the IAF's ageing Soviet-era MiG-21 fleet, which has been in service since the 1960s. India inducted nearly 900 MiG-21s over the decades, but the fleet earned the grim moniker "the flying coffin" due to an estimated 400 crashes that killed around 200 pilots . The Tejas program was originally initiated in the 1980s with the goal of replacing these ageing MiG-21 fighters . However, analysts note that the Tejas's induction has been slow, with the first aircraft commissioned only in 2016, years after the planned mid-1990s retirement of the MiG-21s .
Despite the landmark order, the Tejas Mk1A faces significant technical challenges when compared to advanced fighter jets operated by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), such as the F-16 Fighting Falcon. A retired IAF official acknowledged that the two aircraft are in different weight classes, with the Tejas having a smaller fuselage, a lower maximum take-off weight, and a substantially smaller payload capacity, about three tons compared to the F-16's nearly seven tons . This means that for a mission requiring 36 bombs, the IAF would need to deploy six Tejas jets compared to just three F-16s . The Tejas also has a shorter combat endurance of 59 minutes versus the F-16's four hours, limiting its time on station . A critical shortfall is the current lack of an Operational Data Link (ODL) in the Tejas, a system like the F-16's Link 16 that allows for real-time data exchange between aircraft and other assets. As the official noted, "Without ODL, Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missiles are of no use," as it severely hampers situational awareness . While the Tejas Mk1A features a modern AESA radar, its maneuverability is also slightly lower, capable of pulling 8g compared to the F-16's 9g capability.
This domestic procurement occurs within a tense regional security environment. New Delhi is modernizing its forces, following a brief but intense four day conflict with Pakistan in May 2025, during which both sides claimed to have downed each other's fighter jets. India's modernization plan is multi-pronged. Alongside the Tejas order, India signed a deal with France in April 2025 for 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets and is developing a more advanced HAL Tejas Mk2 variant. The country has also recently tested an Agni-Prime missile from a rail-based mobile launcher.
The massive Tejas order represents a significant step in India's goal of achieving "Atmanirbhar Bharat" or self-reliant India in defence manufacturing. However, the aircraft's technical limitations compared to the PAF's proven F-16 fleet suggest that the IAF may still face capability gaps in a potential confrontation. The F-16's combat-proven versatility, superior payload, longer range, and advanced networking give it distinct advantages. While the Tejas will help replenish the IAF's dwindling numbers of fighter squadrons, its effectiveness against a technologically advanced adversary like the PAF remains a subject of analysis among defence experts.