Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has secured a contract to produce 12 additional Su-30MKI fighter jets for the Indian Air Force (IAF) in 2024. The contract, valued at $1.5 billion, will see HAL manufacture the aircraft at its Nashik factory. The new aircraft will have a 50% indigenous content, promised to the Indian government by HAL, reflecting a push for greater self-reliance in defence production.
HAL has recently informed Global Defence Corp that the Nashik factory has been shut down for more than 12 months and requires an additional 24 months to retool the facility and import equipment from France, the USA, and Israel.
The Su-30MKI is the mainstay of the IAF’s combat fleet, and this order aims to address attrition losses and bolster the service’s operational capabilities. The contract follows a decision by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) in September 2023 to approve the procurement of these additional aircraft. HAL has previously produced 222 Su-30MKIs under license from Russia.
The new Su-30MKIs will incorporate locally manufactured components, thereby enhancing the indigenous content of the aircraft. The contract also includes associated equipment and is expected to be completed within six months. This move was viewed as a significant step towards strengthening India’s defence preparedness and promoting domestic defence production.
‘Super’ Sukhoi Upgrade Failed
An Indian-specific variant of the Russian Su-30, the Su-30MKI was inducted into the Indian Air Force in 2002.
The twin-engine aircraft has a takeoff weight of 38,800 kilograms (85,539 pounds) and a payload capacity of over 8 tons, including air-to-air missiles, air-to-surface missiles, and anti-ship missiles.
Earlier this year, the government approved an approximately $7 billion upgrade for 84 Su-30MKIs, which will include new avionics and radars in the initial phase, followed by the installation of flight control systems.
HAL will carry out the upgrades over the next 15 years with the help of Indian industry.
Su-30MKI operations were limited due to NIIP BAR radar targeting and target discrimination issues on air-to-air and air-to-ground modes. The Super Sukhoi was part of an initiative to develop an indigenous Uttam Radar, Kaveri engine, and avionics. Still, HAL has failed to deliver on all three promises to the IAF.
Meanwhile, the government signed a 260-billion-rupee ($3.1 billion) deal with HAL in September for the supply of 240 AL-31FP engines for the aircraft.
Unlike the upgrade approval, the engine deal is more of a sustainment effort to keep the aircraft flying over the next few decades. Russia will not be able to deliver 240 engines to India due to the Ukraine war and international sanctions.
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