State-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has been awarded a 135-billion rupee ($1.5 billion) contract by the Indian Ministry of Defense (MoD) to manufacture 12 Su-30MKI fighter planes for the Indian Air Force. The contract is intended to make up for losses. The approved strength of the Su-30 fleet is 272 aircraft, but there are only 259 in operation. The delivery of these aircraft would improve the operational capabilities of the Indian Air Force and boost the nation’s preparedness for defense.
