Su-30MKI Aircraft: On June 4, 2024, an Indian Air Force (IAF) Su-30MKI aircraft that was under contract to the Indian public sector aerospace and defense corporation Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for overhauling—that is, for the inspection and replacement of machinery—crashed in the Nashik region of Maharashtra. However, according to defense officials, both of the aircraft’s pilots were able to flee and were safe.
Alpha Defense, an X (formerly Twitter) account, released a video of the incident and claimed that it took place in Shirasgaon, Niphad Taluka.
The Su-30MKI is a twinjet multirole air superiority fighter, meaning it has two engines, can carry out many combat missions, and is built to gain tactical superiority over the opposition to take control of enemy airspace.
Under license from the IAF, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited produces the aircraft. It has a maximum speed of 2,120 kilometres per hour, a range of 3,000 kilometres, weighs 18,400 kg, and is 22 meters long.
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As per ABP News, the IAF received the first Su-3MKI, built in Russia, in 2002. The IAF accepted the 5-3 first Su-30MKI produced in India in November 2004. The Su-30MKI is a specially designed aircraft for India that combines Israeli and French subsystems with Indian avionics and systems.
India currently possesses 272 Su-30MKI aircraft, with a further 12 ordered in 2023.
The Defence purchase Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) in September 2023 for nine capital purchase bids totaling approximately Rs 45,000. Among these were twelve Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets, which Hindustan Aeronautics Limited would produce domestically. According to the ministry of defense, only domestic suppliers would be used for any purchases.
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