Top News

New Delhi: There are preparations to further strengthen the Su-30MKI, one of the most important fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force. The proposal to overhaul and upgrade of about 40 Sukhoi-30MKI aircraft is to be discussed in the Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) meeting to be held on September 7 under the chairmanship of Defense Minister Rajnath Singh.

Big work will be done on 40 Sukhoi

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has proposed repairing and overhauling these aircraft. Its objective is to bring old and over-used aircraft back to full operational capacity and extend their service life.

Let us tell you that the Indian Air Force has about 260 Su-30MKI aircraft. These fighter aircraft are deployed in different strategic areas of the country and are used in many important missions ranging from air superiority to long-range attacks.

Overhauling has already been done

The process of upgrading the Sukhoi fleet is not new. Last year also, about 20 Su-30MKIs were selected for overhaul. Now with the proposed number increasing to 40, the emphasis on strengthening the old aircraft of the Air Force is clearly visible. Overhaul of the Su-30's aero-engine aggregates was also approved in early 2026. The objective of such steps is to increase the service life of the aircraft and maintain their operational availability.

HAL will play an important role

HAL has a major role in the manufacturing and maintenance of Su-30MKI. Therefore, the work of overhaul and upgrade of existing aircraft is also likely to proceed through this government company. If the proposal is approved by the DAC, the operational preparedness of the Indian Air Force's fighter fleet will be strengthened. Also, it can help in using aging aircraft for a longer period of time.