The Indian Air Force will acquire 42 additional Sukhoi-30 MKI fighters from Russia at a cost of Rs201bn ($4.3bn) to increase the size of its combat fleet.
The current proposal, a repeat order for Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, will soon be placed before the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) for approval.
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Defence Minister AK Antony said in Parliament that the new fighters would be delivered during 2014-2018.
India has already acquired 230 Russian Su-30 fighters, which can carry 8t of armament including nuclear bombs.
The IAF currently operates five Su-30 squadrons of around 100 fighters, three based in Pune and the remaining two in Bareilly.
