India to buy 21 MiG-29, 12 Sukhoi fighters

NEW DELHI: Amid spiraling tensions with China, India is to fast track the purchase of an additional 21 MiG 29 fighter jets and 12 Sukhoi Su-30 MKI aircraft from Russia, a news report said Thursday.

The new fighter jets will be bought in a government-to-government deal with Russia with the approximate cost estimated to be 6,000 crore, the Indian media reported.

The Indian Air Force had been planning to buy additional aircraft for some time with Indian Air Force chief Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhaduria stating this at his annual press conference ahead of Indian Air Force day on 8 October. However, now the proposal will be fast tracked.

The proposal is likely to come up before the defence ministry next week for final approval.

The 12 Su-30MKI fighters will be produced by the government-run Bengaluru-based Hindustan Aeronautics Limited while 21 Mig 29 fighters will be manufactured in Russia. The proposal to buy fighter jets comes at a time when India and China are engaged in a tense standoff in the Galwan Valley.