Defence Ministry signs deal with Indian firm to upgrade Su-30 MKI fighter aircraft simulator

The Ministry of Defence has entered into a contract with an Indian firm to upgrade the simulators of the Su-30 MKI fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force. According to an official statement, this upgrade, led by MSME, will incorporate all indigenous weapons and capabilities, thereby enhancing operational training for IAF pilots. The Su-30 MKI fighter jets are integral to the Indian Air Force’s fighter fleet, with over 270 of them currently in service. The upgraded simulators will contribute to further improving pilot training.

In another development, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) recently signed five major capital acquisition contracts worth Rs 39,125.39 crore in Delhi. These contracts were exchanged in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane. One of the contracts was with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the procurement of Aero-engines for MiG-29 aircraft. The second contract was with Larsen and Toubro Limited for the procurement of Close-in Weapon System (CIWS) and procurement of High-Power Radar (HPR). Two contracts were signed with BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited (BAPL) for the procurement of BrahMos missiles and procurement of Shipborne BrahMos system for the Indian Defence Forces.

These contracts are expected to enhance indigenous capabilities, reduce dependency on foreign-origin equipment manufacturers, and save foreign exchange. The contract for RD-33 Aero Engines for MiG-29 aircraft, signed with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), is valued at Rs 5,249.72 crore. The contract for procurement of CIWS, signed with Larsen and Toubro Limited, is valued at Rs 7,668.82 crore. The contract for procurement of HPR, also with Larsen and Toubro Limited, is valued at Rs 5,700.13 crore. This contract will involve replacing existing long-range radars of the IAF with modern Active Aperture Phased Array based HPR with advanced surveillance features.

Furthermore, the contract for procurement of BrahMos missiles, signed with BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited (BAPL), is valued at Rs 19,518.65 crore. These missiles will be utilized to meet combat outfit and training requirements of the Indian Navy. This project is expected to generate employment for nine lakh man-days in the Joint Venture entity and around 135 lakh man-days in ancillary industries, including MSMEs, in the country.