Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) has been awarded a contract by the Indian government to produce 12 additional Su-30MKI fighters. The 125 billion Indian rupee ($1.5 billion) contract with the Defense Ministry calls for HAL to produce the aircraft at its Nasik plant, Flight Global reported.
“The delivery of these aircraft will enhance the operational capability of the Indian Air Force and strengthen the country’s defense preparedness,” the defense ministry said.
The defense ministry added that 62.6 percent of the components for the aircraft will be procured from Indian manufacturers. The rest of the components will be supplied by foreign manufacturers, including Russia’s UAC.
The contract announcement follows news in September 2023 that New Delhi’s Defense Acquisition Council approved the purchase of 12 additional Su-30MKIs, as well as other defense acquisitions. The Indian Air Force currently operates at least 266 Su-30MKIs.
These aircraft, which form the backbone of the Indian Air Force, are subject to modernization. In September, New Delhi approved the purchase of 240 AL-31F engines to equip the fleet, with 54% of the engine components also to be manufactured in India. New Delhi also approved the purchase of new electronic warfare systems for this type of aircraft.
Earlier, it was reported that HAL had submitted updated proposals to the Indian Defense Ministry to produce 12 aircraft under Russian license and an additional 72 in a modernized guise known as the Super-30. If HAL’s initiative is realized, the Indian Air Force’s fleet will reach at least 350 fighters of this type.
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