Article Posted on : - Sep 08, 2011

The Su-30MKI fighter of the IAF.

NEW DELHI (PTI): India will procure over 300 Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jets and Tejas light combat aircraft (LCA) at a total cost of Rs 64,408 crore to strengthen the combat capability of the Indian Air Force, the Government has said.

Replying to a question on procurement of combat aircraft in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, Defence Minister A K Antony said, “Su-30 MKI aircraft and Tejas LCA are the major modern combat aircraft that have been contracted for induction into the Indian Air Force.”

“The total cost of procurement of Su-30 MKI is over Rs 55,717 crore while the cost of procurement of Tejas LCA is about Rs 8,691 crore,” he added.

The Minister informed the House that Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is already manufacturing the Su-30 MKI aircraft as well as Tejas LCA for the IAF.

“Further, HAL would also eventually be manufacturing the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) and Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) planned for further induction into the IAF,” he said.

Replying to a question on submarine fleet of the Indian Navy, Antony said, “A programme for construction of six submarines is currently underway at Mazagaon Docks Limited. Acceptance of Necessity for acquisition of another six submarines has also been accorded by the Defence Acquisition Council.”

To a query on upgradation of harbour protection system, Antony said, “Indian Navy has detailed security plan for its bases which is constantly reviewed in the light of threat perception.”

Procurement and upgradation of naval assets including coastal anti-submarine vessel is an ongoing process depending upon threat perception and naval requirements, the Minister said.