As a part of strengthening the armed forces at a time when China's aggressive behavior has put nations across the planet and India in particular under jeopardy, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), cleared a deal worth Rs 48,000 crore for 83 Tejas Light Combat Aircraft for Indian Air Force.
Under the Department of Defence, Research and Development, these fighters will be designed by Aeronautical development agency. The state owned Hindustan Aeronautics limited (HAL) will manufacture Tejas MK-1A multi role light fighters. It is said to be an updated version of MK-1.
Tejas MK-1A got the clearance from Defence Acquisition Council last March before getting the approval of the CCS in a meeting chaired by PM Narendra Modi.
Rajnath Singh, in a Twitter post, termed it "largest indigenous defence procurement deal" and also added, it "will be a game changer for self reliance in the Indian Defence Manufacturing."
The Ministry of Defence, in a statement said that CCS approved the procurement of 73 LCA Tejas MK-1A (updated one) and 10 LCA Tejas Mk-1 at the cost of Rs 45,696 crore. It also includes design and development of infrastructure worth Rs 1,202 crore.