NEW DELHI — Ukraine’s state-owned defence export enterprise SpetsTechnoExport (STE) has emerged as the lowest bidder (L1) in an Indian Air Force tender worth ₹107.47 crore for the procurement of spare parts for the MiG-29UPG fighter fleet.
According to publicly available tender records, STE submitted a bid of ₹1,07,47,03,790 and was ranked L1 after the tender’s qualification and financial evaluation stages. The tender was issued through the IAF procurement chain at Air Headquarters, Vayu Bhawan, Rafi Marg, New Delhi.
Spare Parts for MiG-29UPG Fleet
The tender covers specific spares required to support the operation and maintenance of MiG-29UPG aircraft. The bill of quantities includes 17 Signal Generator IM 511001 units, along with three accessories for the KSKK-130GK-20 I emergency oxygen system and 59 bearings.
Public tender information identifies the procurement as a limited tender in the aviation category for goods. The period of work is listed as 365 days, while the bid validity was set at 270 days.
The tender has reached the L1 stage, but this does not by itself constitute a final contract award. The formal award remains subject to the applicable procurement process and tender timelines.
SpetsTechnoExport’s Earlier Work With India
SpetsTechnoExport has previously worked with India on military aviation programmes. In 2009, India signed a contract with the Ukrainian company for the total technical life extension, overhaul and re-equipment of 105 IAF An-32 aircraft. The contract was reported at approximately $397.7 million.
Under that programme, aircraft were upgraded both in Ukraine and at Indian Air Force facilities in India. Ukrainian companies also supplied equipment and spares for the programme.
SpetsTechnoExport is a Ukrainian state-owned foreign trade enterprise established in 1998, specialising in the export and import of military and dual-use products and services.
Maintaining the MiG-29UPG Fleet
The MiG-29UPG is the upgraded version of the Russian-origin MiG-29 operated by the Indian Air Force. The current procurement is focused specifically on obtaining spare parts needed for maintaining the aircraft.
The latest tender data therefore represents a procurement for fleet sustainment rather than a new aircraft acquisition. With STE now ranked L1, the next stages involve completion of the procurement process before a final supply agreement is concluded.
The tender provides another example of India continuing to source specialised components for existing Soviet- and Russian-origin military platforms through qualified international suppliers.
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