India, Aug. 20 -- The Cabinet Committee on Security, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has cleared a Rs.62,000-deal to buy 97 more light combat aircraft (LCA Mk-1As) from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to boost the capabilities of the Indian Air Force, officials aware of the matter said on Tuesday.

This is the second order for LCA Mk-1As --- the IAF ordered 83 Mk-1A fighters for Rs.48,000 crore in February 2021. To be sure, none of the fighters ordered four years back has been delivered yet. The IAF could get the delivery of the first of the 83 jets already ordered in October, the officials said, asking not to be named.

The LCA Mk-1As will replace the IAF's MiG-21 fighter jets. The IAF, the world's fourth largest, is set to retire ...