India to procure 21 MiG-29 and 12 Sukhoi-30MKI fighter aircraft from Russia

India to procure 21 MiG-29 and 12 Sukhoi-30MKI fighter aircraft from Russia

• The Government of India is set to procure 21 MiG-29 and 12 Sukhoi-30MKI fighter aircraft from Russia.
• Apart from this, the Centre will also purchase the upgrades of the existing fleets of aircrafts from Russian state-run defence export arm Rosoboronexport.
• The new set of 21 MiG-29 will add to existing 59 such jets already with the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the 12 Sukhoi-30MKIs, on the other hand, will add to the existing fleet of 272 such fighter aircraft.
• Earlier, the Union cabinet had approved Rs 48000 crores acquisition of 83 LCA (Light Combat Aircraft) Tejas aircraft from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). 
• This will include 73 improved Tejas Light Combat Aircraft Mk.1A fighters and ten LCA Mk.1 trainers.
• All these new fleets of aircrafts will curb the decline in the number of IAF fighter planes and will add more firepower to the draining strength of the air force.