The Indian Ministry of Defense and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) have signed a $1.5 billion contract for the purchase of 12 Su-30MKI fighters. This became known after the visit of Defense Minister Rajnath Singh to Moscow, writes Bulgarian Military.
These aircraft will be manufactured at the HAL facility in Nashik (a city in western India in the state of Maharashtra). The supply of fighters will increase the operational capabilities of the Indian Air Force and strengthen the country's defense capabilities.
The Indian authorities aim to increase the number of components for the Su-30MKI that are developed in the country. It is expected that the fighter will consist of 62.6% Indian parts.
The Russian Su-30MKI fighter variant was adopted by the Indian Air Force in 2002. The twin-engine, multi-role, all-weather, long-range air superiority fighter has a take-off weight of 38,800 kg and a payload of over 8 tons. It carries air-to-air, air-to-surface and anti-ship missiles. The fighter can also carry 10 Astra class missiles. The Su-30MKI is equipped with two AL-31FP turbofan engines.
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