The five-year contract spanning from 2023 to 2028 is valued at Rs 2400 crore and involves supplying critical avionics Line Replaceable Units (LRUs), flight control computers and night flying LRUs

Bangalore: In a major boost to indigenization, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) signed a contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for the development and supply of 20 types systems for the TEJAS MK-1A program here today, December 16, 2021.

The five-year contract spanning from 2023 to 2028 is valued at Rs 2400 crore and involves supplying critical avionics Line Replaceable Units (LRUs), flight control computers and night flying LRUs. This is the biggest ever order that HAL has placed on any Indian company boosting ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ campaign.

“TEJAS program is an excellent example of synergies between Indian Defence establishments such as HAL, DRDO & BEL. The current order for the development and supply of 20 types of critical avionics LRUs for TEJAS MK-1A is a shot-in-the-arm for Make in India activity. HAL stands committed to indigenous products”, said R Madhavan, Chairman & Managing Director, HAL.

“We are pleased to receive this order from HAL for the prestigious TEJAS program and look forward to continuing strong partnership and joint success with HAL,” said Anandi Ramalingam, CMD, BEL.

The order for supply of these systems for 83 TEJAS MK-1A fighter fleet will be executed by two divisions of Bharat Electronics Limited at Bangalore and Panchkula (Haryana). All the contracted items will be delivered by BEL to HAL in a ready to board condition.

Deliveries under 83 TEJAS MK-1A order to IAF will commence from FY 2023-24 onwards. The home-grown fighter is slated to be equipped with indigenous flight control computers, air data computers which would also be supplied by BEL under this contract. These systems have been designed and developed by various labs of DRDO and Aeronautical Development Agency, Bengaluru.

The contract documents were handed over by Mr EP Jayadeva, General Manager TEJAS Division, HAL to Mr Manoj Jain, General Manager (EW&A) BEL.