India is all set to purchase 12 Russian-designed Sukhoi-30 MKI to bolster the Air Force which is short of fighter aircraft. As per reports from TimesNow, a Rs 10,000 crore package, is expected to be cleared by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and including the three chiefs.
The Russian designed fighters will include indigenous and also, Israeli systems built in India by Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL), and the additional Sukhois are needed because the IAF is short of fighters and the strength is down to perhaps 32, instead of the 40 that is required to maintain balance with Pakistan and China.
As of now, the IAF has just two squadrons of the 4.5 generation Rafale and it is still operating its older aircraft, including the upgraded MiG-21 Bison.
The DAC is also looking into buying 70 HTT-40 basic trainer aircraft for the IAF and these have been indigenously developed by HAL as the IAF faces shortages in basic trainers.
The DAC in the last few years has been very active in its decision process and it could clear about 50 suites of electronic warfare equipment made by Bharat Electronics, valued at about Rs 2,000 crore as India aims towards indigenisation of weapons platforms for Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Click here to subscribe to The Commune on Telegram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.