The Ministry of Defence on December 12  signed a Rs 13,500-crore deal with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to buy 12 additional Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jets.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has some 260 Russian-origin Sukhoi-30MKI jets in its fleet. Over the years, the HAL has produced a large part of the fleet of the jets. The MoD said the aircraft would have an indigenous content of 62.6 per cent, enhanced due to indigenisation of many components to be manufactured by the local defence industry. Several parts of the plane would be sourced from Russia.

The 12 aircraft would be manufactured at the HAL’s Nashik division. “The supply of the aircraft will enhance operational capability of the IAF and strengthen defence preparedness of the country,” the MoD said. The IAF is facing a threat of dwindling number of fighter jet squadrons. In October, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh had said, “Our aim is not to let aircraft strength remain below 30 (squadrons).”

Each squadron has 16-18 jets. The Cabinet Committee of Security lays down the need for 42 fighter jet squadrons to tackle a two-front threat from China and Pakistan. At present, the IAF has 31 squadrons. The IAF had also placed an order with the HAL to manufacture 83 Tejas Mark-1A jets. Though the deliveries were to start in March, not a single plane has been delivered so far.