Indo-Russian defence ties

New Delhi, June 28, 2025 — India is set to undertake a significant upgrade of its fleet of Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets, integrating advanced avionics, modern radars, and indigenous systems, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh confirmed following discussions with his Russian counterpart, Andrey Belousov.The proposed upgrade, aimed at enhancing the operational capabilities of the Indian Air Force (IAF), will involve 78 per cent indigenous content, a major push toward self-reliance in defence manufacturing.Singh met Belousov on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ meeting in Qingdao, China, where both leaders held wide-ranging discussions on geopolitical developments, cross-border terrorism, and…