MoD approves 33 new fighter jets for IAF in deals worth ₹38,900 crore

Amid the ongoing tensions on the border with China, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on Thursday approved deals worth ₹38,900 crore. This includes procurement of 21 MiG-29 fighter jets for the Indian Air Force (IAF), upgrade of 59 of them and acquirement of 12 Su-30 MKI aircraft.

Defence Acquisition Council

• It is a Defence Ministry’s highest decision-making body for capital acquisition proposals forwarded by the Indian armed forces.
• The Minister of Defence is the Chairman of the Council.
• It was formed, after the Group of Minister’s recommendations on ‘Reforming the National Security System’, in 2001, post-Kargil War (1999).
• It approves the long-term integrated perspective plan for the forces, accords acceptance of necessity (AON) to begin acquisition proposals, and the grant is its approval to all significant deals through all their critical phases.
• It also has the power to approve any deviations in the acquisition. It recommends all big capital defence purchases for approval of the Cabinet committee on security (CCS) headed by Prime Minister.

Astra missile for navy and air force

• Beyond visual range air-to-air missiles (BVRAAM) will be procured domestically for the Navy and Air Force.

Astra missile

• The weapon is an air-to-air missile beyond the visual range.
• The weapon missile system is designed to be deployed on fighter aircraft.
• This missile system is capable of destroying supersonic aircraft.
• Astra Mk-I (ASTRA Mk-I) weapon system is being integrated into the Indian Air Force (Indian Air Force- IAF) by integrating it with SU-30 Mk-I aircraft.
• It can be launched in an autonomous and compatible mode with features of Lock-on-before launch (LOBL) and lock-on after launch (LOAL).

MiG-29 for the Air Force

• DAC has approved the purchase of 21 MIG-29 from Russia.
• India’s existing 59 MiG-29 aircraft will also be upgraded by Russia.
• The total cost of the deal is Rs 7,418 crore.

MiG-29

• is an updated / upgraded version of the two-engine based, multirole fighter jet developed by the Soviet Union.

SU-30 MKI fighter jet for the Air Force

• Government will buy 12 Sukhoi Su-30 MKI jet aircraft from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited with an estimated cost of Rs 12,000 crore.

SU-30 MKI

• It is a long-range foil jet manufactured in collaboration with Sukhoi of Russia and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited of India.
• 3000 km in one flight. Can cover a distance of up to and fuel in it can be filled.

Long-range land invasion based cruise missile system

• To increase the firing range capability of BrahMos missile by 1000 km.
• Developing a completely indigenously built long-range cruise missile system.

LRLACM

• LRLACM will be an improved version of the Nirbhay cruise missile, which will be modified as required.

UPSC