India signs $7b deal for 97 Tejas fighter jets

India signed a $7 billion order on Thursday for 97 domestically designed and built Tejas fighter jets as its air force retires its Russian MiG-21 fleet after decades of use.

The order for the Tejas fighters is one of the largest in terms of the number of fighter jets ordered by India in a single shot.

India's Ministry of Defence said it had "signed a contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for procurement of 97 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A, including 68 fighters and 29 twin seaters".

"The delivery of these aircraft would commence during 2027-28 and be completed over a period of six years," the ministry said.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said in a statement the aircraft would "strengthen defence preparedness".

"This contract reflects the trust and confidence of the Government and the Armed Forces in the indigenously developed aircraft Tejas, which will be the mainstay of the IAF (Indian Air Force) in the years to come," he said.