Govt, HAL sign ₹13.5K-cr deal for 12 Su-30 jets

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

The IAF operates a fleet of 260 Su-30s, and the 12 additional fighters have been contracted to make up for planes lost in accidents. A ₹7,000-crore deal for 100 more self-propelled K9 Vajra-T guns manufactured by Larsen & Toubro with technology transfer from South Korean firm Hanwha Techwin has also been cleared, HT has learnt. "The Su-30 aircraft will have an indigenous content of 62.6%, enhanced due to indigenisation of many components to be manufactured by the local defence industry," defence ministry said.

The 12 aircraft will be manufactured at HAL's Nashik division.

"The supply of these aircraft will enhance the operational capability of the IAF and strengthen the defence preparedness of the country," the ministry statement said.

The aircraft manufacturing division at Nashik, set up in 1964, has licence produced MiG variants and Su-30s.