The new 9.7-in iPad has quite fairly been referred to as the iPhone SE of iPads. The SE took an old form factor, the iPhone 5 and put new but not the latest internals (iPhone 6S) inside.
The iPad takes the form factor of the original iPad Air (dimensions are identical) and adds Touch ID plus the same processor/coprocessor as the iPhone SE.
Hopefully it can also use the same accessories (such as cases/covers) as the first iPad Air.