According to defence sources, the Indian Air Force has entrusted HAL with the acquisition of the advanced fighter jets, which will be produced in India through collaboration with Russian original equipment manufacturers. The procurement aims to strengthen the Air Force’s operational capabilities and reinforce national security.
Sources indicate that Hindustan Aeronautics Limited is expected to provide a detailed response to the tender by the coming month, outlining the project specifics and associated details. The collaboration between HAL and Russian manufacturers is anticipated to play a crucial role in advancing the country’s indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities.
The aircraft would include a high percentage of indigenous content as per the requirement of the Indian Air Force in line with the Aatmanirbhar policies of the government in the defence sector.
“These would be one of the modern Su-30 MKI aircraft of the IAF, equipped with multiple Indian weapons and sensors,” they said.
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.
“The project is planned to be completed with the HAL indigenously and it will also position us well for the upgrade of similar aircraft in foreign countries, they said.
India has a fleet of 272 Su-30 fighter jets, which have been procured in different tranches by the service since the early 2000s. 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.
Recently, the Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari stated that the BrahMos supersonic missile has ‘galvanised and greatly enhanced’ the firepower of the Indian Air Force and bolstered the nation’s ability to defend itself in any conflict.
He had said that the potent combination of a BrahMoS missile on the Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jets and mentioned that smaller versions of the next-generation BrahMos missiles are being developed for fitment to other combat aircraft.
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.
