I'll believe it when I see it. BAE Systems has been involved in a number of projects with HAL that have stalled - the Intermediate Jet Trainer and Advance Hawk spring immediately to mind. The latter appeared dead in the water after the RR was accused of using illegal middlemen. Here is a story from 2017 about accusations RR bribed HAL officials leading to the IAF rejecting Advanced Hawk
https://www.defensenews.com/air/2017...hawk-aircraft/ I think (but am not sure) HAL's internally funded Hawk-i programme to upgrade the existing Mk 132s is aimed at meeting the same capability. I believe the test aircraft flew at Aero India 2017 where the Advanced Hawk was on static display. The Hawk-i was used to test launch the stand off (100 km range) Smart Anti Airfield Weapon in January. "The Hawk-i is HAL’s internally funded program offering the Indian Armed Forces an upgrade and combat capability for the Hawk, transforming it into an Advanced Jet Trainer providing training on sensors and weapons in peacetime into a potent combat platform during conflict." (EconomicTimes) All tied up with Atmanirbhar Bharat" - 'self-reliant India'. The Indian Air Force had a shortage of 405 pilots against the authorised 4239 as at 1 March so maybe it is in urgent need of boosting its training fleet.
Perhaps the Chinese threat means the Modi government is now prepared to forgive and forget RR's alleged behaviour.
WEBF, I believe the HAL Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF) project has supplanted a naval variant of either Tejas or Tejas II.
https://www.janes.com/defence-news/n...owcased-by-hal