Indian Air Force (IAF) has placed an order of 83 Tejas light combat aircraft (LCA) with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). With this, orders for a total of 123 Tejas aircraft has been placed by the IAF.

Earlier, two contracts were signed between IAF and HAL for procurement of 20 initial operational clearance (IOC) standard aircraft and 20 final operational clearance (FOC) aircraft in 2006 and 2010 respectively.

Out of total 20 IOC aircraft, 5 fighter aircraft have been delivered by HAL. The remaining 15 IOC aircraft are being manufactured.

Production for 20 FOC aircraft will be taken up after clearance by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), a PIB release said.

To fast track LCA Tejas production, several initiatives have been taken like for increasing annual production capacity from existing 8 to 16 aircraft, the centre has sanctioned Rs 1,381.04 crore in March, 2017, establishment of second line for structural and equipping activities at the HAL aircraft division, reduction in manufacturing cycle time, augmentation of manpower, established contracts for outsourcing of major modules namely front fuselage, centre fuselage, rear fuselage, wing and various sub-assemblies to private partners.

In its bid to bolster the fighter squadron strength, the centre has also planned to manufacture fighter aircraft through strategic partnership model.