Article Posted on : - Jun 28, 2010

An IAF photo of the Su-30 MKIs flying in formation.

NEW DELHI (BNS): Indian Government has cleared a Rs 15,000 crore proposal, paving the way for the Indian Air Force (IAF) to acquire 42 more Sukhoi-30 MKI multi-role fighter aircraft.

The Cabinet Committee on Security cleared a proposal in this regard earlier this month, according to a news report in The Economics Times.

State-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will start production of the additional fighters sometime in 2014. With the induction of the new aircraft, the total fleet of Sukhoi-30 MKI fighters in the IAF's arsenal would go up to 272.

The fresh order adds two more Sukhois to the earlier plan to acquire 40 such fighters to make up for the two crashed fighters, the report said.

The new Su-30 MKIs will be equipped with the powerful BRAHMOS supersonic cruise missiles. Trial run of airborne BRAHMOS missile is expected to begin in 2011 followed by their integration in the Russian-origin modern aircraft by 2012.

Meanwhile, plans are also afoot to modernise the existing fleet of Sukhoi-30 fighters. The IAF is expected to take delivery of all the upgraded as well as the new fighters by 2018.

India had purchased 50 Su-30MKI aircraft from Russia in 1996 and an additional 40 fighters in 2007. HAL has acquired a license to manufacture another 140 Su-30MKIs.