The Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has seen a significant boost in its stock following the Indian government’s approval of a Rs 62,000 crore deal for 97 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mark 1A jets, marking one of its largest orders. The deal is pivotal for the Indian Air Force (IAF) as it aims to replace the aging MiG-21 fleet with a total of 180 Tejas fighters, bolstering India’s self-reliance in defense manufacturing and creating opportunities for numerous small and medium enterprises in the supply chain. HAL’s shares surged 3.5% to reach Rs 4,611.60, demonstrating strong investor confidence, reinforced by recent positive financial performance despite a slight dip in net profit. The approval aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s push for indigenous defense projects, a strategic move toward enhancing national security and technological independence. Overall, the Tejas program is emblematic of India’s commitment to advancing its defense capabilities while fostering a robust domestic defense industry, thus enhancing national security and reducing dependence on foreign military hardware.