I believe if the MoD is seriously expecting to use the Su30MKI till 2050, then they should seriosuly upgrade the engine to the next gen Izdeliye 177S Engine.
Sukhoi Su-30MKI
- Thread starter Ashwin
- Start date
Are these new 12 Su-30 MKI aircraft the MLU version or standard MKI configuration ?
Any update wrt to delivery timelines or MLU program ?
@Rajput Lion , @marich01 ,@_Anonymous_ , @spice ,@STEPHEN COHEN
Any update wrt to delivery timelines or MLU program ?
@Rajput Lion , @marich01 ,@_Anonymous_ , @spice ,@STEPHEN COHEN
Those 12 are MKI. Production line opening is still an year away, from the previous messages I saw here. CCS approval is few months away, I wrote quoting the HAL CMD in another thread. Financial negotiations are ongoing, technical done.
Those 12 SU-30s are a hybrid, lacking some super sukhoi features that are still in development like Virupaksha radar.
There are also photos of SU-30's under construction in HAL's facility showing RAM panels for fuselage skin.
Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) met up for a joint flight exercise.
Shiva EW pod has entered limited service
I thought SIVA was a passive direction finding EW Pod for DEAD firing an ARH missile shot?
For jamming/spoofing/etc. i.e. SEAD roles, I thought these were wingtip Pods yet to be decided between two vendors -- DRDO/Pinaka Aerospace and Data Patterns?
As Super Sukhoi awaits clearance, IAF turns to Russia for parallel Su-30MkI upgrade
NEW DELHI: Even as the Indian Air Force’s plan to upgrade 84 Su-30MKI fighters under the Super Sukhoi programme awaits clearance from the Cabinet Committee on S
Even as the Indian Air Force’s plan to upgrade 84 Su-30MKI fighters under the Super Sukhoi programme awaits clearance from the Cabinet Committee on Security, the service is eyeing a parallel upgrade of a similar or larger number of aircraft with Russia to sustain operational readiness, sources in the defence and security establishment said.
This step comes as India moves towards formalising the procurement of a fifth-generation stealth fighter, with Russia’s Su-57 emerging as a leading contender.
A Russian team has recently visited Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s Nashik facility, signalling deeper engagement between the two sides.
The parallel engagement with Moscow is intended to offset long execution timelines associated with the HAL-led upgrade, which is expected to take at least seven years once it receives approval. There are concerns within the establishment about whether the projected timeline for Final Operational Clearance can be met.
“Relying solely on the indigenous upgrade could push timelines well into the next decade. A parallel track is therefore being considered to ensure operational readiness is not affected,” a source said.
The source added, “Moreover, with the Super Sukhoi upgrade limited to 84 aircraft, a parallel route is needed for the remaining Su-30MKI fleet of around 175 aircraft.”
The proposed Russian track is expected to focus on strengthening the aircraft’s electronic warfare suite and radar. Moscow has also offered the more powerful AL-41 engines to replace the current AL-31s, and the IAF is evaluating the proposal.
Once negotiations between the two countries are completed, a separate proposal will be taken up for Acceptance of Necessity by the Defence Ministry. This will mark the first formal step in the procurement process, followed by commercial negotiations and finalisation of the contract.
“The approach is likely to mirror the MiG-21 Bison upgrade model, with parallel roles for Indian and Russian agencies. The idea is to address the squadron crunch and avoid a capability gap, especially as the IAF looks to maintain adequate 4.5-generation capability amid a potential two-front threat,” the source explained.
Under the homegrown upgrade programme, HAL, in partnership with DRDO, will lead the modernisation. It will centre on Virupaksha AESA radar and an upgraded avionics suite.
The Virupaksha radar, a more powerful version of DRDO’s Uttam AESA, uses Gallium Nitride-based technology and is expected to significantly improve detection range by roughly 1.5 to 1.7 times. While Uttam itself uses the same technology, the Su-30MKI variant is likely to feature a larger array and higher power output. However, the Uttam radar, which is to be integrated on the Tejas Mk1A, is yet to receive full certification.
It is also learnt that DRDO has been progressing work under the homegrown upgrade programme using internal funding, but substantial financial support, expected only after CCS clearance, is required for full-scale development and integration.
The Su-30MKI upgrade programme was first initiated in 2006 and has since faced prolonged delays due to negotiations over cost, technology transfer and indigenous content with Russia. It received Acceptance of Necessity in November 2023 but is yet to secure a final CCS approval. If cleared soon and timelines hold, the IAF is likely to begin receiving fully upgraded, indigenously modernised Su-30MKIs only from around 2033–34.
Could be a 'sponsored' article by Russian interests. The reporter doesn't seem to be a regular on the defence beat at the Indian Express.
The Russians have been offering a 'unified' upgrade that would supposedly bring MKI on par with the Su-35S, afaik.
The Russians have been offering a 'unified' upgrade that would supposedly bring MKI on par with the Su-35S, afaik.
To be frank, the Russians have nothing really to offer in terms of an upgrade.As Super Sukhoi awaits clearance, IAF turns to Russia for parallel Su-30MkI upgrade
NEW DELHI: Even as the Indian Air Force’s plan to upgrade 84 Su-30MKI fighters under the Super Sukhoi programme awaits clearance from the Cabinet Committee on Swww.newindianexpress.com
Even as the Indian Air Force’s plan to upgrade 84 Su-30MKI fighters under the Super Sukhoi programme awaits clearance from the Cabinet Committee on Security, the service is eyeing a parallel upgrade of a similar or larger number of aircraft with Russia to sustain operational readiness, sources in the defence and security establishment said.
This step comes as India moves towards formalising the procurement of a fifth-generation stealth fighter, with Russia’s Su-57 emerging as a leading contender.
A Russian team has recently visited Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s Nashik facility, signalling deeper engagement between the two sides.
The parallel engagement with Moscow is intended to offset long execution timelines associated with the HAL-led upgrade, which is expected to take at least seven years once it receives approval. There are concerns within the establishment about whether the projected timeline for Final Operational Clearance can be met.
“Relying solely on the indigenous upgrade could push timelines well into the next decade. A parallel track is therefore being considered to ensure operational readiness is not affected,” a source said.
The source added, “Moreover, with the Super Sukhoi upgrade limited to 84 aircraft, a parallel route is needed for the remaining Su-30MKI fleet of around 175 aircraft.”
The proposed Russian track is expected to focus on strengthening the aircraft’s electronic warfare suite and radar. Moscow has also offered the more powerful AL-41 engines to replace the current AL-31s, and the IAF is evaluating the proposal.
Once negotiations between the two countries are completed, a separate proposal will be taken up for Acceptance of Necessity by the Defence Ministry. This will mark the first formal step in the procurement process, followed by commercial negotiations and finalisation of the contract.
“The approach is likely to mirror the MiG-21 Bison upgrade model, with parallel roles for Indian and Russian agencies. The idea is to address the squadron crunch and avoid a capability gap, especially as the IAF looks to maintain adequate 4.5-generation capability amid a potential two-front threat,” the source explained.
Under the homegrown upgrade programme, HAL, in partnership with DRDO, will lead the modernisation. It will centre on Virupaksha AESA radar and an upgraded avionics suite.
The Virupaksha radar, a more powerful version of DRDO’s Uttam AESA, uses Gallium Nitride-based technology and is expected to significantly improve detection range by roughly 1.5 to 1.7 times. While Uttam itself uses the same technology, the Su-30MKI variant is likely to feature a larger array and higher power output. However, the Uttam radar, which is to be integrated on the Tejas Mk1A, is yet to receive full certification.
It is also learnt that DRDO has been progressing work under the homegrown upgrade programme using internal funding, but substantial financial support, expected only after CCS clearance, is required for full-scale development and integration.
The Su-30MKI upgrade programme was first initiated in 2006 and has since faced prolonged delays due to negotiations over cost, technology transfer and indigenous content with Russia. It received Acceptance of Necessity in November 2023 but is yet to secure a final CCS approval. If cleared soon and timelines hold, the IAF is likely to begin receiving fully upgraded, indigenously modernised Su-30MKIs only from around 2033–34.
Their offering is on lines of the Su30SM2 upgrade which they undertook to ensure simpler logistics and complement their Su35S fleet.
The Virupaksha is far superior to the Irbis-E that the Russians are offering.
If we really want to run two parallel upgrade program, then it should be between DRDO's Virupaksha with a DcPP and Data Patterns Hawk i 2700.
Neither is easier because of the number of unknowns.
Also the entire reason why Super Sukhoi is stretching this long is because the aircraft will essentially be grounded until the upgrade is complete and IAF does not have the luxury of grounding 100s of aircraft that form its mainstay.
Even the F-16 PoBiT upgrade program is meant to run for a period of 6 years.
Plus, russian UAC will start meddling again in indegenious upgrade, like threatening to pull flight certification, if they don't get a peice of the pie.
I'm of the beleif that indegenious sukhoi upgrade will stretch somewhat more su30s than current 84 in future, ~100+.
Rest 150+, with russian assistance, upgraded to various degrees on various batches.
Exactly, we need to go full steam with the indigenous Super Sukhoi programme and not even give an inch of ground to the Russians knowing their history.
A fleet wide upgrade will help recoup the R&D costs and position the upgrade programme as an attractive export proposition.
IAF is well aware of the Capabilities it needs to meet the challenges of the Future
And they are NOT going to be Forced by the
AATM NIRBHARTA gang to wait ENDLESSLY
Whether it is Rafale , Su 57 or SU 30 , they will do whatever it takes to reach a certain level of Capability
Enemies won't wait for our Indigenous programmes to be completed
If they Find a weakness,.they will exploit it
And they are NOT going to be Forced by the
AATM NIRBHARTA gang to wait ENDLESSLY
Whether it is Rafale , Su 57 or SU 30 , they will do whatever it takes to reach a certain level of Capability
Enemies won't wait for our Indigenous programmes to be completed
If they Find a weakness,.they will exploit it
ANI's ajit dubey had also reported this in December 2025. Although, at that time, the number of aircraft to be upgraded was mentioned to be 100. See page 172 of this thread.
The upgrade that the Russians are proposing is only of any use if your adversary is equivalent to that of Ukraine, in any near or above peer conflict, you are cooked.
They are likely trying to push an engine upgrade as part of the Super Sukhoi program.
While UAC can be a bitch to deal with, the Su-30 might need an engine upgrade soon to meet increasing power requirements.
I remember reading an article some time ago—though I'm not sure if it was reliable—mentioning that the IAF was looking into integrating DEW into the MKI.
Iirc, the Russians had also pitched the Su-35S along with the Su-57 some months back.
If the IAF signs up for parallel track upgrades for MKI, could they be considering some Su-35S as well?
Any Ru UPG package would have to be heavily based on the Su-35.
I don't believe the Russians would cannibalize their Su-57 market by offering elements like radar and avionics from it for MKI.
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