New Delhi: Amid the escalating row with China over Ladakh face-off, the Indian Air Force plans to augment its aerial might by inducting new series of fighter jets.
The IAF has proposed to acquire 33 new combat aircraft including 12 Sukhoi and 21 MiG-29s and has already sent a proposal for speedy acquisition of these combat fighter jets to the central government for approval.
Accorrding to WION News, Russia is ready to assess the issue of early delivery even as Moscow is currently helping Indian air force in MiG 29 modernization programme. The modernization will help increase combat capabilities and expand the functional properties of MiG-29 fighters to a level comparable to the Fourth-generation jet fighter, reported the portal.
The first squadron of Su-30MKI fighter jet was commissioned in the Indian Air Force missile earlier this year in January. The importance of Sukhoi jets can be gauged by the fact that it is the only Indian aircraft capable of using BrahMos supersonic missiles.
Currently, Indian Air Force has Sukhoi 30 MKIs, Mirage 2000s, MiG-29s and the ageing Jaguars and MiG 21 Bisons in its inventory of fighter jets.
The development comes at a when Indian and Chinese troops have resorted to violent confrontation, resulting in casualties on both sides. The clashes happened after Chinese troops were asked to move away from a location in the Galwan Valley as per an agreement.