India’s HAL to Develop Prototype of Upgraded Su-30MKI Jet

India’s state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is poised to develop the prototype of upgraded Su-30MKI fighter featuring advanced radars, weapons and more, with assistance from Russia.

In what could be the country’s largest upgrade program with all of India’s 272 Sukhois set to be modernised, sources told Economic Times that the prototype for the upgrade will be developed by HAL.

The decision was taken during the 19th IRIGC-M&MTC meeting co-chaired by Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and his Russian counterpart General Sergey Shoigu on Wednesday.

Sources told Sputnik that the Su-30MKI upgrade programme “will start soon.” The jets will reportedly get advanced weapons systems such as the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, the R-27P high-range infrared homing system, and Russian air-to-air missiles.

Aside of Sukhoi modernisation, the two countries also agreed to soon operationalise the joint venture lndo-Russia Rifles Private Limited for the manufacture of world class Kalashnikov AK 203 rifles in India. In addition, New Delhi was offered Russia’s Alexandrit-E class minesweepers, which would be built in India, in case the deal sees the light of the day.