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World Defense & Security News - Russia
 
 
India reportedly shown interest in purchasing 40 more Su-30MKI fighter aircraft
 
India may buy in Russia additional 40 Su-30MKI multipurpose fighters sets for local assembly, a high-ranking military-diplomatic source told TASS at Singapore Airshow 2016. "Indian Air Force faces a number of problems. The purchase of French Rafale fighters is in doubt and no serial production has been launched for Indian aircraft designs," he said.
     
India reportedly shown interest in purchasing 40 more Su 30MKI fighter aircraft 640 001An IAF Sukhoi Su-30MKI multirole fighter aircraft
     
"It is necessary to equip the national Air Force and the purchase of another 40 Su-30MKI fighters sets for assembly will help India," the source said.

If agreement is reached the additional Su-30MKI sets delivery will be agreed in an addendum to the main contract.

India has so far ordered a total of 272 Russian Su-30MKI fighters. The first contract for the purchase of 230 craft in Russia and their licensed production in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd Corporation (HAL) was signed in the middle of the '90s. In December 2012 HAL signed another contract worth USD$1,66 billion for additional 42 licensed Su-30MKI.

India assembles the fighters according to a license obtained by HAL. From 2007 Russia delivered 50 fully assembled aircraft after which India assembled 134 licensed fighters. Its Air Force plans to have 14 squadrons of Su-30MKI by 2018. It means the country has to have 272 aircraft by the time.
     
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