In a significant move towards enhancing India’s defense capabilities, the Defence Ministry has formalized a contract worth ₹13,500 crore with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), based in Bengaluru, for the procurement of 12 Sukhoi-30 fighter aircraft along with necessary equipment destined for the Indian Air Force (IAF). This initiative is a part of the government’s broader objectives to bolster self-reliance in defense manufacturing.
The addition of these 12 Sukhoi-30 jets will bolster the IAF’s fleet, which currently comprises 260 such aircraft. The new acquisitions are primarily aimed at offsetting losses incurred from previous accidents. The deal reflects a commitment to improving the operational capabilities of the Indian Air Force and enhancing national defense preparedness, as noted in the ministry’s statement.
HAL will manufacture the fighter jets at its Nashik division, where an impressive track record includes the production of various MiG variants and the licensed assembly of Sukhoi-30 aircraft since the plant’s inception in 1964. The ministry emphasized that these aircraft will feature 62.6% indigenous content, a significant increase thanks to the indigenization of many components crafted by the local defense industry.
In parallel, a separate ₹7,000 crore contract has been approved for the acquisition of 100 self-propelled K9 Vajra-T guns, produced by Larsen & Toubro with technology transfer from South Korea’s Hanwha Techwin. The Indian Army has already integrated 100 of these advanced artillery guns, initially contracted in 2017 for approximately $720 million, with several units actively operational in Ladakh after adaptations for mountainous terrains.
This latest procurement aligns with a more extensive initiative to modernize the Army’s artillery capabilities. A comprehensive strategy has been developed focusing on improving firepower, precision attacks, and operational quickness, aiming to ensure that artillery regiments are equipped with advanced 155mm systems. This initiative will also introduce longer-range missiles and rockets, sophisticated surveillance and target acquisition systems, and a more streamlined sensor-to-shooter process for rapid targeting.
In a related enhancement of the Air Force’s operational capabilities, the Defence Ministry recently signed a separate ₹26,000 crore contract with HAL for the supply of 240 aero-engines for the Su-30 fighter jets. Production of these engines will occur at HAL’s facility in Koraput, Odisha, with a projected annual delivery of 30 engines. The production is expected to achieve an indigenous content of up to 63% by the completion of deliveries, with technological support sourced from Russia.
Additionally, an extensive upgrade project worth approximately ₹65,000 crore is planned for the existing fleet of Su-30s, which will include the installation of advanced systems such as the Uttam active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, upgraded avionics, and new weapon systems, further consolidating the capabilities of the IAF.
Together, these contracts signal a robust commitment to enhancing India’s defense structure and self-sufficiency in military manufacturing, setting the stage for a more fortified and capable armed forces ready to meet evolving security challenges.
