New Delhi: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will begin delivering the new Sukhoi-30 fighter jets to the Indian Air Force (IAF) in April 2027, following a ₹13,500-crore contract signed with the Defence Ministry on December 12. This contract, which includes 12 fighter jets and associated equipment, aims to strengthen India’s self-reliance in defense production.
To fulfill the contract, HAL is reactivating its Sukhoi-30 production line at its Nashik facility. The plant, operational since 1964, has previously produced MiG variants and Sukhoi-30 aircraft under license. The production will feature a substantial degree of local involvement, with structural parts and components mainly sourced from Indian vendors, while some materials will be imported from Russia. Additionally, the engines will be manufactured at HAL’s Koraput facility in Odisha.
The delivery schedule for the 12 Sukhoi-30s includes the first aircraft in April 2027, with the final one expected to roll out by March 2029. The IAF’s fleet of Sukhoi-30s currently stands at 260, and these new additions are intended to replace aircraft lost in accidents. The aircraft to be manufactured at Nashik will incorporate 62.6% indigenous content.
The IAF initially acquired 50 Sukhoi-30s from Russia, while the rest have been produced locally by HAL under a licensing agreement. In addition to the Sukhoi-30s, the Defence Ministry also signed a ₹26,000-crore deal with HAL in September for the production of 240 aero-engines for the IAF’s fleet. The AL-31FP engines, built at Koraput, will have an increasing indigenous content, projected to reach 63% by the end of the contract. HAL plans to deliver 30 engines annually over the next eight years.
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Further upgrades are planned for the IAF’s existing Sukhoi-30 fleet at an estimated cost of ₹65,000 crore. These upgrades will include the installation of the indigenously developed Uttam AESA radar, advanced electronic warfare suites, enhanced weapon control systems, and new weaponry.
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Meanwhile, Armenia, which has faced conflicts with Azerbaijan, is also seeking HAL’s expertise to upgrade its fleet of Russian-made Su-30SM fighters. These upgrades would involve similar enhancements, including avionics, electronic warfare suites, and weapons systems.
