India seeks 18 more Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighters, eyes 20 more MiG-29UPG fighters

IAF Sukhoi Su-30MKM fighters.


Russia’s Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC) on 8 July 2019 confirmed that they are processing an Indian Air Force (IAF) request to acquire 18 additional Sukhoi Su-30MKI multi-role fighters, which will be assembled in India.

These additional fighter aircraft will add to the existing 250 similar aircraft already in service with IAF. Of that number, more than 200 units were assembled in India by Hindustan Aerospace Industries (HAL) plant in Nashik, Western India, with components and parts for 222 units provided by Russia. 

Before this order, the IAF intends to have a total of 272 Su-30MKI fighters in 13 squadrons by 2021, and the additional order increases the total to 290 units in 14 squadrons.

According to report by IHS Jane’s, the indigenous content of locally-assembled Su-30MKI fighters are said to reach 50%, although Russia still provides the major components including powerpack, titanium blocks and forging, aluminium and steel plates, and other major and standard components.

In addition to 18 Sukhoi Su-30MKM fighters, FSMTC confirms that there is also another request from the IAF for 20 additional MiG-29UPG multi-role fighters, although no further information was provided on this.


[1] TASS – Russian News Agency
[2] Jane’s Defence Weekly
[3] The Diplomat

India seeks 18 more Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighters, eyes 20 more MiG-29UPG fighters India seeks 18 more Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighters, eyes 20 more MiG-29UPG fighters Reviewed by Asia Pacific Defense Journal on July 11, 2019 Rating: 5

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