₹13,500 Crore Su-30MKI Deal Signed: HAL and L&T Propel India’s Defence Self-Reliance

New Delhi, Dec 12: In a significant advancement for India's Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, the Ministry of Defence has inked two major defence contracts aimed at enhancing the country’s operational readiness and self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

 

 

 

 

The first contract, valued at approximately ₹13,500 crore (inclusive of taxes and duties), was signed with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited ( HAL ) for the procurement of 12 Su-30MKI fighter aircraft. These aircraft will be manufactured at HAL’s Nashik division, incorporating an impressive indigenous content of 62.6%. This level of indigenization is a direct result of efforts to source and produce critical components through the Indian defence industry.

 

 

 

“These aircraft would enhance the operational capability of the Indian Air Force and strengthen the defence preparedness of the country,” the Ministry of Defence stated. The addition of the Su-30MKIs to the Indian Air Force’s fleet underscores the government’s commitment to modernizing the armed forces with domestically manufactured equipment.

 

 

 

 

In another major development, Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has secured a repeat order for 100 K-9 Vajra-T self-propelled howitzers, to be manufactured at its Hazira facility in Gujarat. The K-9 howitzers have already proven their mettle, with the Army having inducted an initial batch of 100 units. For the repeat order, L&T has further increased the indigenous content, solidifying its role as a key partner in India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem.

 

 

 

These strategic procurements reflect India’s focus on reducing dependency on foreign imports while strengthening its defence infrastructure. By partnering with leading domestic players such as HAL and L&T, the government continues to pave the way for a robust and self-reliant defence industry under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision.

 

 

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