IAF Sukhoi-30 MKI to get another major upgrade

New Delhi: Indian Air Force’s trusted fighter jet, the Russia-made Sukhoi-30 MKI frontline heavy combat aircraft, is set to receive a significant upgrade, enhancing India’s air combat capabilities.

The major upgrades include AESA radars, longer-range weapons, and an electronic warfare suite (EWS). These improvements will notably extend the IAF’s air combat capabilities for another 20 years. Additionally, the recently tested and approved upgrades for the SU-30 MKI will boost its capability for the suppression and destruction of air defence systems (SEAD/DEAD) and enhance its ability to attack ground targets in heavily defended areas.

Indian Air Force has 259 SU-30 MKI aircraft. Most of these jets were licensed produce by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. The Indian government paid more than USD 12 billion to Russia for the acquisition of these jets.

An upgrade project targeted at strengthening the combat capabilities of the IAF’s SU-30 MKI fighter jets has reached its finishing stage, as reported by a national daily in July. The initiative, predominantly led by indigenous efforts, is designed to prolong the operational life of the jets by another three decades. The highlights of the upgrade include the installation of active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars, advanced avionics, long-distance weaponry, and multi-sensor fusion facilities.

By July, the Ministry of Defence had worked up to a draft note for the Cabinet Committee on Security, led by the Prime Minister, asking for the green light to commence the upgrade of an initial set of 84 jets which is estimated to cost around Rs 63,000 crore.

The responsibility to carry out these upgrades lies with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The plan is to upgrade all the 84 Su-30 MKIs over a time span of around 15 years. The commencement of this project comes after getting the green light from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). It’s projected that the development and flight-testing phase will cover seven years, following which the improved jets will be gradually upgraded and inducted in batches.

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