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Sukhoi upgradation with BrahMos
Why is it in news?
- After the Balakot air strikes, the government decided to fast-track arming over 40 Sukhoi fighter jets with the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile.
- It is a closely guarded strategic project aimed at bolstering the combat capability of the Indian Air Force.
More in news
- Sukhoi upgradation with BrahMos:(1) In 2016, the government decided to fit the air-launched variant of BrahMos in over 40 Sukhoi fighter jets.(2) A review on ways to strengthen the Air Force against the backdrop of the Balakot air strikes and Pakistani retaliation concluded that the early integration of BrahMos with the Sukhois should be a priority.
- Air defense:(1) The government is undertaking several measures to strengthen the Air Force’s combat prowess.(2) It was felt that the planned induction of Rafale aircraft equipped with the Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile, procurement of the S-400 air defence missile system and integration of BrahMos with the Sukhois will provide India a significant advantage over the Pakistani Air Force.
- Significance of upgraded air defense:(1) Once the weapon is integrated with the combat fleet, the IAF’s capability to strike from large stand-off ranges on any target in sea or land is expected to go up manifold.(2) The missile, coupled with the superlative performance of the Sukhoi aircraft, will give the IAF a strategic reach and allow it to dominate the ocean and land battlefields.
Source
The Hindu