On October 17, the Indian Air Force (IAF) will receive its first two Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A jets at the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) facility in Nashik, a significant milestone in India’s indigenous aerospace advancement under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will preside over the handover event, emphasizing the government’s commitment to self-reliance and the creation of over 3,000 jobs through HAL. The Tejas Mk1A, featuring advanced upgrades such as AESA radar and enhanced capabilities, aims to bolster the IAF’s squadron strength amidst ongoing border challenges. With HAL’s increased production capacity and over 65% indigenous content, this development underscores India’s strategic focus on enhancing its defense capabilities and reducing reliance on foreign technology.