New Delhi, Aug. 19 -- In a major boost for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Make in India in defence project, India on Tuesday cleared the project for buying 97 LCA Mark 1A fighter jets for the Indian Air Force.

The final approval for the acquisition of 97 LCA Mark 1A fighters was given by a high-level meeting today and will pave the way for Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to produce the aircraft, defence sources told ANI.

This will be the second order for the LCA Mark 1A fighters, as the government has already placed orders for 83 aircraft a few years ago for around Rs 48,000 crore.

The programme will help the IAF to replace its fleet of MiG- 21s, which are finally being phased out by the government in next few weeks, they said.

The indi...