Sources in the Indian Air Force (IAF) have informed StratPost that a fourth squadron of Sukhoi 30-MKI aircraft has been raised in the past few months.
When asked as to the number of squadrons of the Sukhoi 30MKI, an IAF officer confirmed, “Four.”
While not revealing the base of the 8th Squadron, the ‘Hot Pursuits’, the officer indicated Lohegaon in Pune to have two squadrons with Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh having the rest.
While each squadron has between 16-18 aircraft, StratPost has been given to understand the new squadron is not yet up to full strength, so the total number of aircraft in the IAF should be at least 48 and with all four squadrons swelling to sanctioned strength, the number could go up to 72. IAF sources conservatively estimate the existing number of Sukhoi-30 MKI aircraft to be around 50. Media has generally reported the IAF Sukhoi-30 MKI fleet to number between 55-60.
The IAF lost its first Sukhoi-30 MKI in a crash last week near Jaisalmer in which one occupant was killed. However the IAF has said it does not consider the aircraft grounded.
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