India: Upgrade of Deep Penetration Jaguar Fighters

Indian Ministry of Defence, A contract for upgrade of Jaguar aircraft to improve navigation and weapon aiming capabilities has been finalized with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL).  
 
HAL and Defence Avionics Research Establishment have jointly taken up indigenous development. The development has progressed satisfactorily. The Government has released sufficient funds for these projects and an advance payment has been made available to HAL.  
 
This information was given by the Defence Minister Shri George Fernandes in a written reply to Shri Nandi Yellaiah in Rajya Sabha today  
 
 
Other information released today by the defence ministry:  
 
— The first SU-30 MKI aircraft under license manufacture at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is planned to be delivered to Indian Air Force in 2004-2005.  
 
The Government has accorded sanction to the licensed manufacture of SU-30 MKI aircraft, its engines and accessories at HAL at a total cost of US $ 4809.3 million (Rs. 22122.78 crore at year 2000 price level and at 1 US $ = Rs. 46).  
 
 
–The project Sonobuoy Processing and Control System was successfully developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in Jun 1989. The technology was transferred to Electronics Corporation of India Ltd., (ECIL) Hyderabad.  
 
The total development cost of the project was Rs. 215.03 lakh.  
 
The efficacy and acceptability of the system has been established through extensive trials conducted on submarine and various airborne platforms. The system was cleared for induction in 1991. Production order for 11 systems has placed on M/s ECIL, Hyderabad.  
 
India has a vast coastline and many strategic offshore and on shore installations, the use of Sonobuoys and Processing Systems offers very cost effective means of underwater surveillance.