Given the increasing tensions between India and China, India has decided to strengthen their Air Force by buying 33 fighter jets

Indian Airforce has received a nod from the Defence Ministry to expediently acquire 21 MIG-29 along with 12 Sukhoi fighter jets from Russia.

An announcement from the ministry said that The Defence Ministry’s Defence Acquisition Council has also approved of a move that will lead to upgradation of existing 59 MiG-29 jets.

The ministry said “Addressing the long felt need of the Indian Air Force to increase its fighter squadrons, the DAC also approved the proposal for procurement of 21 MiG-29 along with upgradation of existing 59 MiG-29 aircraft and procurement of 12 Su-30 MKI aircraft.”

The stand off and tension between India and China along the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh gave birth to this decision of further strengthening the military. 

The move was approved by the Ministry after PM Modi communicated with Russian President Putin and the Russian repeated his dedication towards “further strengthening the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between the two countries in all spheres."

Clearance has also been provided for the procurement of 248 Astra Beyond Visual Range air-to-air missiles for the Indian Air Force and the Navy. 

DRDO’s Land Attack Cruise Missile that has a strike range of 1,000Km has also been sanctioned.

“Acquisition of new/additional missile systems will add to the fire power of three Services. While acquisition of Pinaka missile systems will enable raising additional regiments over and above the ones already inducted, addition of Long Range Land Attack Missile Systems having a firing range of 1000 Km to the existing arsenal will bolster the attack capabilities of the Navy and the Air Force. Similarly induction of Astra Missiles having Beyond Visual Range capability will serve as a force multiplier and immensely add to the strike capability of Navy and Air Force,” the statement said.

Enhancement and purchase of MIG 29 from Russia will cost India about Rs 7,418 crores while the HAL made Su-30 MKI will be available at an estimated cost of Rs 10,730 crores.