THE IAF OPERATES A FLEET OF 260 SU-30S, AND THE 12 FIGHTERS HAVE BEEN CONTRACTED TO MAKE UP FOR PLANES LOST IN ACCIDENTS

NEW DELHI: The defence ministry on Thursday inked a ₹13,500-crore contract with Bengaluru-based Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for 12 Sukhoi-30 fighter aircraft along with associated equipment for the Indian Air Force, in a push for the country's self-reliance drive, the ministry said.

- Rahul Singh

NEW DELHI: A "steel cutting" ceremony at the L&T yard in Kattupalli, Tamil Nadu, marked the beginning of production of the second of the five fleet support ships (FFSs) ordered for the Indian Navy last year to boost its capabilities to replenish warships at sea, the navy said on Thursday.

The ceremony, which took place on Wednesday, comes eight months after the "steel cutting" ceremony of the first of the FFSs was carried out at Hindustan Shipyard Ltd (HSL) in Visakhapatnam. The defence ministry signed a ₹19,000-crore contract with HSL in August 2023 for the five vessels to replenish warships at sea and extend their range and endurance for missions.

"Showcasing the strength of public-private partnership, HSL has contracted part construction of two FSS to M/s L&T Shipyard, Kattupalli to effectively utilise the country's shipbuilding capacity and meet stringent timelines for delivery," the navy said in a statement. The ceremony was held in the presence of Rear Admiral Vishal Bishnoi, the navy's assistant controller of warship production and acquisition.

HSL is expected to deliver the first vessel to the navy in mid-2027, with the rest to follow at the rate of one every 10 months thereafter. The vessels will have a length of 225 metre and width of 32 metre.