HAL To Resume Su-30MKI Fighter Jet Production At Nashik, 12 Jets By 2029

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will resume manufacturing Su-30MKI fighter jets at its Nashik facility, with 12 new aircraft scheduled for delivery by 2029. The first newly built jet is expected in 2027-28. HAL has previously manufactured 222 Su-30MKIs under a licence agreement with Russia for the Indian Air Force. The December 2024 order, valued at approximately ₹11,000 crore, requires the aircraft to have more than 50% indigenous content.

The Nashik facility will also undertake a major upgrade of the existing Su-30MKI fleet, estimated at around ₹60,000 crore. The upgrade programme is planned in two phases: the first focusing on avionics and radars, and the second on flight control systems. The upgrades will include a new indigenous radar for extended-range target detection, a new electronic warfare system, and advanced infrared search-and-track systems. DRDO support and private-sector component sourcing are envisaged for the upgrade initiative.