India to Purchase 8 Su-30MKI Jets from HAL for $422M

India is looking to purchase eight Su-30MKI combat aircraft from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in a deal worth over $422 million (INR 3,000 crore).

“The Indian Air Force (IAF) has lost few aircraft to accidents. To make up for the losses, we are looking to place orders for eight new Su-30MKI combat jets,” ANI quoted top IAF sources as saying Saturday.

Sources in the IAF denied earlier reports regarding the procurement of 40 Sukhoi jets from HAL. “It is news to us,” ANI quoted IAF sources as saying.

The IAF has 272 twin-jet multirole air superiority fighter Sukhoi Su-30MKI currently in service. It has so far inducted close to 12 squadrons of the aircraft. The report stated that the IAF is expected to have as many as 13.5 squadrons by 2021-22.

The Sukhois were brought in by the IAF after the MiG-21s, MiG27s, MiG-23s and MiG27s, MiG-29s became obsolete. The primary fleet of the IAF, however, has Su-30MKIs, MiG-21 Bisons, Mirage-2000, Jaguars and MiG-29s, the report stated further.