In a step towards boosting its squadron strength, the Indian Air Force has issued a tender to the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the purchase of 12 advanced Su-30MKI fighter jets.
Su-30 MKI Fighter Jets
In a step to improve the squadron strength of the Indian Air Force (IAF), the Ministry of Defence issued a Rs 10,000 crore tender to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the acquisition of 12 Sukohi-30 MKI fighter jets. “Recently, a tender has been issued to the HAL for buying the 12 Su-30MKI fighters, which will be manufactured in India by the HAL in partnership with the Russian original equipment manufacturers,” defence. The public sector company is expected to respond to the tender by next month with details of the project along with other details, they said.
The aircraft would include a high percentage of indigenous content as per the requirement of the IAF in line with the Aatmanirbhar policies of the government in the defence sector. The aircraft will be manufactured in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and will carry 60 percent indigenous contents.
The Indian Air Force is also working on a project to upgrade the fleet of Sukhoi-30 fighters under an ambitious project that will see 84 of its planes get upgraded with indigenous weapon systems, advanced radars and avionics. India has a fleet of 272 Su-30 fighter jets, which have been procured in different tranches by the service since the early 2000s.
Upgradation
The aircraft have already been upgraded by integrating Indian systems and weapons like the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile and the Astra air-to-air missile. The Su-30s have been deployed in many exercises and operations, including the Balakot air strikes and the ongoing military standoff with the Chinese People’s Liberation Army.
SU 30 MKI
The Su-30MKI, a 4.5 generation aircraft, can carry out complex manoeuvres at both high speeds and low speeds, which includes the iconic vertical charlie manoeuvre. The aircraft, with the capability of air-to-air refuelling, can also carry out long range patrol and other endurance missions.
