From Fighter jets to combat helicopters, IAF to get ‘desi’ upgradation worth over Rs 3 lakh crore

Oct 03, 2023

New Delhi, October 03 (ANI): In one of the biggest indigenisation projects in the defense, IAF is taking up a major program to upgrade its fleet strength. Indian Air Force is working on multiple ‘Make in India’ programs worth over Rs 3.15 Lakh Crore. Air Force will be getting 180 LCA Mark 1A worth Rs 1.2 Lakh Crore. A contract for 83 aircraft has been signed and the remaining 97 aircraft await clearance. A fleet of 156 LCH worth Rs 45,000 Crore and Light Utility Choppers MK1 worth Rs 2,000 Crores is also on the cards. In the fighter aircraft domain, IAF will be upgrading the Su-30MKI fighter jet fleet under a Rs 65,000 crore project. Project will be carried out by a joint team of HAL, IAF with indigenous radars, avionics, weapons equipped on the plane. Under Air Defense Missile System, IAF will get five units of the Long Range Surface to Air Missile (LR-SAM) under ‘Project Kusha’. ‘Project Kusha’ was cleared by Defence Ministry for worth around Rs 21,700 crores and would be carried out by DRDO jointly with private, public sector. Meanwhile, The Medium Range-Surface to Air Missile project worth Rs 14,500 crore has already been completed and a few missiles have already been inducted into the service. DRDO is also working on the production of 'Pralay' ballistic missiles worth Rs 1,900 crores which will be used by IAF for conventional roles and warheads. In a bid to increase IAF’s transport strength Air Force has signed a contract for 56 new C-295 transport aircraft. The project would see a cash outgo of over Rs 22,000 crores which would see 40 aircraft manufactured within the country. Earlier this year Defence Ministry sealed a deal with HAL to procure 70 HTT-40 basic trainer aircraft worth Rs 6,100 crores.