The Defence Ministry on Thursday sealed a ₹62,370 crore deal with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) to procure 97 Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) for the Indian Air Force (IAF). The signing of the contract came over a month after the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the mega procurement.

This is the second major contract awarded to the state-run aerospace behemoth. In February 2021, the Defence Ministry had finalized a ₹48,000 crore deal with HAL for the procurement of 83 Tejas Mk-1A jets for the IAF.

A contract was signed with HAL for 97 Tejas Light Combat Aircraft Mk-1A with associated equipment for the IAF at a cost of ₹62,370 crore (excluding taxes), the ministry said. The advanced jet will feature the Swayam Raksha Kavach system and control actuators, with over 64 percent indigenous content and 67 new indigenous items incorporated.

Deliveries are scheduled to start in 2027-28, according to the ministry.

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### Agni-Prime Missile Test-Fired from Rail-Based Launcher

India has successfully carried out the test firing of the Agni-Prime missile from a rail-based mobile launcher system, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced on Thursday. This next-generation missile is designed to cover a range of up to 2,000 kilometres and is equipped with various advanced features.

This was the first-ever launch conducted from a specially designed rail-based mobile launcher. The system provides the capability to move along the rail network, allowing users cross-country mobility and enabling a quick reaction launch time.

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