New Delhi/IBNS, Aug. 30 -- India's indigenous fighter aircraft programme is set to cross a key milestone, with the first two of 10 Tejas Mark 1A jets expected to be delivered by the end of September, Defence Secretary RK Singh announced at NDTV's Defence Summit on Saturday.

Underscoring the importance of self-reliance in the defence sector, Singh said, "It is a strategic imperative now that we need to be self-reliant in order to maintain our strategic autonomy. The only way we can do that is by ensuring that the bulk of our defence needs are met within the country. Since Prime Minister Modi's government came to power in 2014, the focus on self-reliance has been relentless."

The Indian Air Force (IAF) signed a Rs.48,000 crore contract wi...