Syllabus:

GS3: Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.

Context: 

Recently, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved the procurement of 97 LCA Mark 1A fighter aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF), worth ₹62,000 crore.

More on the News

• This is the second order for the indigenous LCA Mark 1A fighters. In February 2021, the government had placed an order for 83 aircraft worth about ₹48,000 crore.
• The induction will facilitate phasing out its ageing MiG-21 fleet, which is scheduled to be retired in September this year.
• The jets will be built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), a Maharatna PSU under the Ministry of Defence.
• Earlier, in August 2021, HAL had signed a ₹5,375-crore contract with GE Aerospace for 99 F404 engines to power the Tejas Mk-1A. The first engine was received in March 2025.

Tejas Aircraft

• Tejas Mark (Mk) 1 is a 4.5 generation, lightweight, high-agility supersonic multi-role fighter aircraft
• It is a single-seater fighter aircraft with a single engine. 
• The DRDO’s Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) led the design and development of the aircraft under the light combat aircraft (LCA) programme, with HAL working as the prime industrial contractor.
• The LCA’s maiden flight was successfully completed on January 4, 2001, and it was named Tejas in 2003. It was inducted into the force in 2016. 

Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) program

• The program was started in the 1980s, aimed to replace India's aging MiG-21 fighter jets with an indigenous supersonic fighter. 
• The objective of the programme was to enhance and develop India's indigenous aerospace capabilities. 
• The government established the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) (under the Department of Defence Research and Development) to manage the LCA programme.

LCA Mk-1A: Features

• It is the most advanced version of the LCA Tejas. 

• It is equipped with:

• AESA Radar (Active Electronically Scanned Array): Enables faster target detection, tracking, and resistance to enemy jamming.
• Electronic Warfare (EW) Suite: Provides radar warning and self-protection jamming, enhancing survivability.
• Advanced Radio Altimeter: Provides precise altitude data, crucial for low-level flying and combat manoeuvres.
• Other advanced features: like, Digital Map Generator (DMG), Smart Multi-function Displays (SMFD), Combined Interrogator and Transponder (CIT) etc.

Cabinet Committee on Security (CSS) 

• The CCS is headed by the Prime Minister.
• It is responsible for important discussions and decisions on defence policy, expenditure, and matters related to national security.
• It is also the apex body when it comes to the appointments of officials in the national security bodies

Sources:

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/cabinet-panel-on-security-clears-project-to-procure-97-lca-mark-1a-fighter-jets-for-iaf/article69953099.ece#:~:text=The%20Cabinet%20Committee%20on%20Security,Indian%20Air%20Force%20(IAF) https://www.business-standard.com/external-affairs-defence-security/news/final-nod-for-62-000-crore-deal-to-procure-97-more-tejas-mk1a-jets-125082000014_1.html