A national defense ministry has signed a contract with a domestic aerospace manufacturer for procurement of 97 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk-1A fighters, valued at approximately $7 billion. The order comprises 68 single-seat fighters and 29 twin-seat trainers and forms a central part of a broader modernization program that includes the phased retirement of older legacy fighters. The Mk-1A is an upgraded variant of an indigenous design first inducted in 2016, and the procurement emphasizes local industrial participation — more than 100 domestic suppliers contributed to this production run, and the aircraft reportedly contain an indigenous content exceeding 64 percent. Delivery is scheduled to commence in 2027–2028 and is expected to be completed over a six-year production window. The acquisition is one of the largest single-quantity fighter orders made by the purchasing nation and aligns with a long-standing policy to deepen domestic defense manufacturing, increase self-reliance, and reduce import dependence. The contract also follows heightened regional tensions and recent cross-border engagements that have reinforced urgency for air force modernization and enhanced combat capability. The procurement will replace aging airframes, field upgraded avionics and sensors, and sustain a domestic production line that supports skills, supply chains, and possible future upgrades. By routing production through a state aerospace firm and involving a wide industrial base, the program aims to secure long-term sustainment, create employment across the supplier chain, and anchor technical expertise domestically.
