New Delhi: The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has approved two key defence deals, giving a major boost to the Indian Armed Forces’ arsenal and the Atmanirbhar Bharat concept. The deals comprise 12 Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jets and 100 additional K-9 Vajra artillery guns, worth a combined Rs 21,100 crore.
The CCS on Thursday approved a Rs 7,600 crore contract for 100 K-9 Vajra self-propelled tracked gun systems, complementing the 100 such 155mm guns already inducted through a joint venture between L&T and South Korea’s Hanwha Defence, the Times of India reported.
Last week, the CCS also cleared the deal for 12 Sukhoi fighter jets worth Rs 13,500 crore. These will be manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited under licence from Russia, along with associated equipment and spares.
The defence ministry finalised the deal for 12 Sukhoi fighter jets with HAL on Thursday. The Sukhois will be manufactured by HAL’s Nashik division, featuring an indigenous content of 62.6%, while the additional K-9 Vajra guns will have around 60% indigenous components, the report said citing an official.
K-9 Vajra guns deployed along China border
The Army has deployed some of the first 100 K-9 Vajra guns, originally procured for desert operations at a cost of Rs 4,366 crore, in eastern Ladakh. These guns have been equipped with “winterised kits” to adapt to the high-altitude region amid the ongoing standoff with China.
With a strike range of 28-38 km, the 100 new guns will be equipped with winterised kits to prevent their batteries, oil, lubricants, and other systems from freezing in sub-zero temperatures. The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict has underscored the importance of long-range, high-volume firepower, the report added.
Sukhoi jets to strengthen IAF’s fleet
The additional 12 Sukhois will replace those lost in crashes over the years. The Indian Air Force currently operates 259 twin-engine Sukhois, most of which were produced by HAL under licence from Russia at a cost exceeding $12 billion. These aircraft constitute nearly 50% of the IAF’s combat fleet.
With the induction of the indigenous single-engine Tejas Mark-1A fighters still delayed, the IAF is struggling with just 30 squadrons, far short of the 42 required to address the dual threat posed by China and Pakistan.
While the 36 omni-role Rafale fighters, acquired under the Rs 59,000 crore deal with France in September 2016, have enhanced the IAF’s combat capabilities, the sharp decline in fighter squadrons remains a significant concern for the defence establishment.
To address this, the defence ministry signed a contract worth over Rs 26,000 crore with HAL in September for the procurement of 240 AL-31FP aeroengines to sustain the operational readiness of the Sukhois. These engines will be manufactured at HAL’s Koraput Division, with some components sourced from Russia.
