In 2021, the Indian government gave a US$ 6 billion contract to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for 83 indigenous developed and manufactured Tejas Light Combat Aircraft - powered by a General Electric F414 engine (like the F/A-18 Hornet). HAL is in talks with at least Malaysia, Argentina, Egypt and Botswana for Tejas sales. Malaysia showed specific interest in sixteen aircraft but the Korean competitor, the T-50/FA-50 is also in the race to win that contract.

On static display on the 89th Air Force Day at Hindon AFS. In keeping with the theme of 'self-reliant and capable', this Final Operational Clearance (FOC) standard Tejas of No. 18 Sqn. "Flying Bullets" with an aerial refuelling probe comes loaded with 1200L droptanks, LGBs, R-73E missiles and a Litening III pod. Fg Offr Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon of No. 18 Sqn. "Flying Bullets" was awarded the IAF's only Param Vir Chakra posthumously, India's highest military award, after his defence of Srinagar in 1971.