Article Posted on : - Sep 02, 2011

The IAF will procure over 40 Su-30MKI fighters from Russia as part of its massive modernisation programme.

NEW DELHI (PTI): As part of a massive modernisation programme, the Indian Air Force on Thursday said it has signed 271 contracts worth Rs 1,12000 crore in the last five years to procure new weapon systems and platforms.

“A fair amount of changeover is going to take place... We have finalised and signed 271 contracts worth Rs 1,12000 crore from 2006...,” Air Chief Marshal N A K Browne said.

The IAF chief was addressing a gathering at a CII function here.

In the recent past, the IAF signed contracts for procuring Su-30MKI fighter aircraft from Russia, the C-17 and C-130J Hercules transport aircraft from the US and the SPYDER air defence systems from Israel.

The deals signed with the US companies for the two types of transport aircraft alone is to the tune of over USD five billion (Rs 22,000 crore).

Browne said IAF would embark on more capital acquisition programmes during the 12th Plan period starting next year. It will be acquiring 126 Medium-Multirole Combat Aircraft (M-MRCA), the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) being developed in collaboration with Russia and surface-to-air missiles besides undertaking modernisation of its 39 airfields.

He said the modernisation programme includes involvement of the private industry in a big way.

Browne said the private industry can help the IAF in maintaining its old aircraft and providing spares support for its older systems.

The private industry, he said, should also try to invest more in research and development and enhance capacity building for absorbing and producing various systems in large numbers.