Uganda and Indian state-owned aerospace firm Hindustan Aeronautics Limited have signed a defense MoU that allows the Indian defense industry to provide maintenance and technical support for its Sukhoi Su-MK30 jet fighters. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited was granted a Sukhoi manufacturing license by Russia.
Between 2011 and 2012, Uganda acquired six SU-30MK fighter jets from Russia at a reported price of $635m. The Russian Sukhoi Su-30MK fighter jets are arguably Uganda’s most prized military asset and the country has shied away from using them in the various military interventions the nation has been involved including the long-running CT operation against al Shabaab in Somalia.
Uganda’s President Museveni has expressed ambitious defense plans saying that he projects that Uganda will be a defense hub not only for the entire East African Region including United Nations Missions but for the entire continent, especially after the recent establishment a helicopter maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility at Nakosongola Air Base.
