India needs around 250 Fighter Jets and more news from Rajya Sabha today

Posted by- Neelam Mathews

Aug 3, 2011

Defense Minister AK Antony answering to queries said:

·         India needs around 250 Fighter Jets for induction in Indian Air Force from 2018 onwards.

·         There is presently no proposal for procurement of additional C-17 Globemaster III aircraft for the Indian Air Force.

·         Acceptance of Necessity for acquisition of Six Submarines under Project-75(I) has been accorded by the Defence Acquisitions Council. The proposal is being progressed. Cost details would be available on finalization of contracts.

·         A Preliminary Design (PD) contract has been signed between HAL and Rosoboronexport, Russia in December, 2010 for implementation of design & development of Prospective Multi-role Fighter (PMF) Aircraft program by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) jointly with Sukhoi Design Bureau (SDB) of Russia at a cost of $295 million. The duration of the PD Phase is 18 months. Full scale Design & Development work will be taken up under a separate contract, which will be negotiated and signed towards the end of the PD Phase.