Which of the following items of defence hardware is/are manufactured in India ? 1. Su-30 MKI Fighter Jets 2. T-90 MK-III Tanks 3. Akula Class Submarine Select the answer using the code given below :
- (a) 1 and 2 ✓ UPSC's answer
- (b) 1 and 3
- (c) 1 only
- (d) 2 only
Why the answer is (a)
• The Su-30 MKI, though of Russian (Sukhoi) design, has been licence-manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd at Nashik since the early 2000s, with progressively higher indigenous content — item 1 is made in India.
• The T-90 main battle tank is licence-produced as the T-90S 'Bhishma' (including the Mk-III variant) at the Heavy Vehicles Factory, Avadi, Chennai — item 2 is made in India.
• Akula-class nuclear-powered attack submarines are Russian-built; India has only leased them (INS Chakra), and it is now building its own SSNs under a separate programme — item 3 is not made in India.
• Licence production under Make in India has been the route for absorbing Russian platform technology.
• Hence 1 and 2, option (a).
Why the other options are wrong
- (b) 1 and 3
- Akula-class submarines are Russian-built and only leased by India.
- (c) 1 only
- T-90 tanks are also licence-built in India at Avadi.
- (d) 2 only
- Su-30 MKI jets are also licence-built in India by HAL.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026, held on 24 May 2026. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.