India’s defence budget, presented as part of the country’s annual budget on February 1 2020, registered a very modest 5.6% increase over last year but only 1.9% more after 2019 saw additional purchases of munitions and spares – including large numbers of air-to-air missiles – following tensions with Pakistan in February 2019.
The Indian Air Force, which has ambitious to procure some 200 new combat aircraft may have to stretch its plans over a longer period.
However, orders for 83 Tejas Mk1A aircraft likely to be placed soon, with some speculation that the order could be placed during Defexpo 2020 to be held between 5th and 8th February 2020. This may be ambitious and the order is more likely to come later in the year.
The unit cost of the Tejas Mk1A is pegged at US$58.1 million and, being fitted with an AESA radar, enhanced electronic warfare and self-protection systems, will represent a significant increase in capability over the existing Tejas Mk1 which is in service with No.45 sqn of the IAF with No.18 soon to begin conversion to the type as production of another 16 Tejas Mk1 continues.
