India's shopping worth Rs 3 lakh crore
Despite these challenges, ACM Choudhary expressed confidence in the capabilities of the Indian Air Force. Plans are afoot to enhance the combat capabilities of the Indian Air Force with contracts worth Rs 1. 72 lakh crore next year.
This includes 83 fighter jets that were ordered under contract with Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) in February 2021.
Apart from this, 97 more Tejas Mark-1A fighter planes will also be purchased. The acquisition of 180 Tejas Mark-1A jets at a cost of Rs 1.2 lakh crore is aimed at reducing the number of fighter squadrons, which currently stands at 31, while at least 42 are required. The remaining 60 MiG-21 'Bison' are scheduled to be retired by 2025.
As part of the plan, the Indian Air Force will also purchase 156 'Prachanda' light combat helicopters worth Rs 45,000 crore. They are capable of carrying out offensive operations in high altitude areas such as Siachen glacier and eastern Ladakh.
In addition, the medium-range surface-to-air missile system “MR-SAM”, the new generation Akash missile fleet and the Pralay ballistic missile are also being purchased.
On the other hand, Air Force high power radar and five squadron air defense missiles of long range (250 km) are also being included. Additionally, 84 of the 260 Russian-origin Sukhoi-MKI fighter aircraft are continuing to be upgraded with indigenously designed weapons and electronic warfare systems.
This contract was delayed due to the war in Ukraine
After delays caused by the war in Ukraine, the Air Force is expected to receive the remaining two squadrons of S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missiles next year under the fifth, $43 billion contract signed with Russia in 2018.