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IAF's Backbone: 40 Sukhoi Jets Face Crucial Overhaul
7 Sep
Summary
- Defence Acquisition Council to discuss overhaul of 40 Sukhoi-30MKI jets.
- Overhaul aims to extend service life of the Indian Air Force's key combat asset.
- Hindustan Aeronautics Limited is the primary entity for Sukhoi jet maintenance.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is set to chair a Defence Acquisition Council meeting on Monday, with a major agenda item being the proposed overhaul of 40 Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets. These aircraft constitute the backbone of the Indian Air Force's combat fleet, making their continued airworthiness a government priority. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has submitted the overhaul plan, which requires DAC approval due to the substantial investment involved.
This proposal doubles the number of Su-30MKIs slated for overhaul compared to last year's flagged jets. The IAF operates approximately 260 Su-30MKIs, maintaining their combat readiness is crucial for various missions. This effort aligns with a broader strategy to sustain the fleet's service life and meet operational needs, following previous clearances for engine aggregate overhauls. HAL is central to the Su-30MKI program, handling both manufacturing and maintenance.
The council will also review proposals from the Army and Navy, continuing a busy acquisition cycle. Previous meetings have approved significant capital outlays for defense equipment. The upcoming DAC meeting's decision on the 40-jet overhaul, while requiring further formalization, signals key defense acquisition priorities, focusing on maintaining existing capabilities.
