Indian Air Force Releases Tenders Worth Rs 10,000 Crore To Procure 12 Additional Sukhoi Su-30 MKI Fighter Jets

In a move aimed at strengthening its squadron capacity, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has issued a tender to the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the acquisition of 12 advanced Su-30 MKI fighter jets, reported ANI.

"Recently, a tender has been issued to the HAL for purchasing the 12 Su-30 MKI fighters, which will be manufactured in India by HAL in partnership with the Russian original equipment manufacturers," the report stated.

HAL is expected to respond to this Rs 10,000 crore tender by next month, providing project details and other relevant information.

The 12 new aircraft will feature a high percentage of indigenous content, aligning with the IAF's requirements and in line with the government's Atmanirbhar policies in the defence sector.

"These would be modern Su-30 MKI aircraft of the IAF, equipped with multiple Indian weapons and sensors," the report quoting official sources said.

Simultaneously, the IAF is undertaking a project to upgrade its Sukhoi-30 fighter fleet. This ambitious initiative aims to enhance initially 84 aircraft with indigenous weapon systems, advanced radars, and avionics.

These newly-upgraded Sukhois will also be integrated with the BrahMos-A air-launched cruise supersonic missile. These missiles are capable of striking targets at ranges close to 400 to 500 kilometres.

With these long-range missiles, coupled with the Su-30 MKI's range of more than 1,500 kilometres, the Indian Air Force gains the ability to counter any adversary inimical to Indian interests.

In fact, last month (on 18 October), a Sukhoi Su-30 MKI jet demonstrated this long-range strike capability by flying more than 1,500 kilometres from an air force base (AFB) in the southern peninsula, presumably Thanjavur AFB, and launched the BrahMos-A missile, successfully striking a target somewhere in the Bay of Bengal.