Article Posted on : - Mar 03, 2010

A file photo of Russian made Su-30MKI aircraft

NEW DELHI (BNS): India and Russia will sign a new contract for the delivery of 42 Russian-made Su-30MKI aircraft for Indian Air Force (IAF), a media report said.

"The new order is being placed due to the insufficient number of fighter squadrons in the Indian Air Force and would allow us to eliminate potential threats," RIA Novosti quoted a source in Indian Defence Ministry as saying.

According to the Russian news agency, the new deal is estimated to be more than $3 billion and negotiations on the contract have been continuing for several months.

India has purchased 50 Su-30MKI aircraft from Russia in 1996 and an additional 40 planes in 2007. India's Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) has acquired a license to manufacture an additional 140 fighters.

Presently Indian Air Force (IAF) has 105 Su-30MKIs in its fleet mainly deployed at airbases close to the borders with China and Pakistan.