NEW DELHI: India signed a $7 billion order for 97 domestically designed and built Tejas fighter jets as its air force retires its Russian MiG-21 fleet after decades of use.
One of the world's largest arms importers, India has made the modernisation of its forces a top priority and has made repeated pushes to boost domestic production.
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.
The jets were commissioned into the air force in 2016, with the latest order for an upgraded version of the fighter, Mk-1A.
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". - AFP
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