The Indian Air Force (IAF) plans to induct five new squadrons comprising 80 Sukhoi 30MKI fighter aircraft by the year 2017. The Sukhois in operation will be armed with the supersonic cruise missiles, BrahMos, from next year.
Disclosing this to media persons after the passing out parade of
the 119th course of the National Defence Academy (NDA) on Monday, Air Chief Marshal Pradeep Naik, Chief of Air Staff, said the new aircraft would be inducted into the Air Force in a phased manner. The aircraft is being manufactured at the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) factory at Bangalore.
the 119th course of the National Defence Academy (NDA) on Monday, Air Chief Marshal Pradeep Naik, Chief of Air Staff, said the new aircraft would be inducted into the Air Force in a phased manner. The aircraft is being manufactured at the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) factory at Bangalore.
The Sukhoi 30MKI is India’s lead fighter aircraft and there are five squadrons in operation today. DNA (June 4) had reported how a new squadron of 16 Sukhoi 30MKI aircraft was to arrive at the IAF base at Lohegaon, Pune before being inducted at either Chabua or Bagdogra in the eastern sector.
Historically, the IAF Pune airbase has been the raising base for Sukhoi 30MKIs where squadrons are raised and deployed to various bases in the country.
Speaking to DNA on Monday, Wing Commander Tarun Kumar Singha, New Delhi-based IAF spokesperson, said the fresh batch of Sukhoi 30MKIs was meant for the eastern and central sectors.
Air Chief Marshal Naik told media persons that the IAF was on a modernisation drive and all its fighters, transport aircraft, helicopters and radar equipment would be upgraded in the near future.
Responding to a question on ‘end-user monitoring agreements’ being suggested by the USA for defence equipment, Naik said,
“These agreements are not unusual. They have been around for 30 years. We want the best equipment from the USA. It is important to get the wording of the agreement right.”
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