More MiG-29, Su-30 Missiles and armaments to be bought: Indian Defence

More MiG-29s, Su-30 Astra Missile etc. to be added

In the current situation and the need to strengthen their Armed Forces of the borders, the Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) India in its meeting held under the Chairmanship of Defense Minister Shri Rajnath Singh accorded approval for acquisitions of $5.2 billions (Rs 38900 Cr) various platforms equipment required by the Indian Armed Forces.

DAC approves buy of Armaments to boost fire power amid China. (Source: Defence Ministry, India)   

Focused on indigenous design and development these approvals include acquisitions from Indian Industry of $4.15 billions(Rs 31130 Cr). The equipment are to be manufactured in India involving Indian Defense Industry with participation of several MSMEs as prime tier vendors.

Ammunitions

A large number of these projects have been made possible due to Transfer of Technology by DRDO to the Indigenous Industry. These include Pinaka Rocket and ammunitions, BMP armament upgrades and Software Defined Radios for the Army, Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile Systems. Astra Missiles for Navy (48 missiles) and Air Force (200 missiles). The cost of these Design and Development proposals is in the range of $2.72 billions (Rs 20400 Cr).

BMP-2 of Indian Army during Rehearsal  

Missiles

Acquisition of new missile systems will add to the fire power of three Services. Addition of Long Range Land Attack Missile Systems having a firing range of 1000 Km to the existing arsenal will bolster the attack capabilities of the Navy and the Air Force. Similarly induction of Astra Missiles having Beyond Visual Range of Air-to-Air class capability will serve as a force multiplier and immensely add to the strike capability of Navy and Air Force.

India Tested Long Range Cruise Missile "Nirbhay" 

Fighter Jets

Further, addressing the long felt need of the Indian Air Force to increase its fighter squadrons, the DAC also approved (Sukhoi and MiG) the proposal for procurement of 21 MiG-29s along with upgradation of existing 59 Mig-29 aircrafts and procurement of 12 Su-30 MKI aircrafts. While the MIG 29 procurement and upgradation from Russia is estimated to cost $990 millions (Rs 7418 Cr), the Su-30 MKI will be procured from HAL at an estimated cost of $1.43billions (Rs 10730 Cr).

Indian Su-30Mki and MiG-29s during a formation.