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 :

The correct answer is Option A.

Statement 1 is correct: The Su-30 MKI is a twinjet multirole air superiority fighter developed by Russia's Sukhoi. However, it is extensively manufactured in India under a technology transfer license by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) at its Nashik facility.

Statement 2 is correct: The T-90 MK-III (codenamed "Bhishma" in Indian service) is an advanced third-generation main battle tank. Under licensed production agreements, these tanks are indigenously manufactured by the Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL) at the Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF) in Avadi, Chennai. In May 2024, HVF delivered the first batch of Bhishma Mk. 3 tanks to the Indian Army, marking significant progress in localized production.

Statement 3 is incorrect: The Akula-class is a series of nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs) designed and built in Russia. India does not manufacture these submarines; rather, the Indian Navy has leased them from Russia (such as the INS Chakra) to train crews and bridge strategic capability gaps while India develops its own indigenous nuclear submarine program.

Concluding Takeaway: To remember India's defense procurement strategy, note that while large fleet assets like the Su-30 MKI and T-90 Bhishma are successfully license-manufactured domestically by state-owned enterprises (HAL and HVF), highly complex foreign strategic platforms like the Akula-class SSNs are leased directly from Russia.