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India to modernize Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter fleet with $4 billion program

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Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is going to request $4 billion from the Indian Ministry of Defense to upgrade the country’s fleet of Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets, Indian media reports. About 150 fighter aircraft will upgrade fifth generation fighter jet as ‘Super Sukhoi’, after which the Indian Air Force’s fighter capacity will increase manifold reports NewsonAir.

New electronics:
The upgrades mostly concern the jets’ avionics and sensor systems. Notably, the slotted planar array radar, which dates back to the 2000s, is bound to be replaced by indigenously developed Uttam active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, manufactured by HAL.

DHRUTI RWR of Su 30 MKI:
The analog Tarang RWR on India's Su-30s have been replaced with the Dhruti digital RWR
It is a new generation Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) designed and developed for installation on any fighter, transport aircraft or helicopter. It intercepts and identifies airborne, ship-borne and ground based acquisition, target tracking and missile guidance radars up to the J Band frequencies. The identified emitters (radars) are indicated to the aircrew by displaying corresponding set of symbols on the corresponding MFD page in the cockpits. A synthesized audio warning is provided to the aircrew at the birth of each emitter

Features of Dhruti RWR:
• Ultra wide band receiver with excellent sensitivity and dynamic range

• Real Time emitter trackers

• Dynamic reception regime control

• Capable of known & Unknown threats

• Master for CMDS & Jammers...


The Radar and RWR is to be complimented by a new domestically-manufactured infrared search and track (IRST) system, although its advantages over the original OLS-30 system remain unannounced


A modernized cockpit with new displays is also going to be installed, in addition to a new digital flight control computer (DFCC).

The weaponry is also to be upgraded with the ability to carry an expanded range of domestically-manufactured air-to-air missiles, cruise missiles and sensor pods

State-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has successfully integrated the Software Defined Radios (SDR) supplied by Israeli Rafael company successfully. Su-30MKI also now features an indigenous ANS-1100A VOR/ILS System that helps aircraft navigate by using fixed ground-based beacons when coming for landing and an Upgraded Radio Altimeter which aids Pilot to carry out low level or night flight below 2500 feet.
Israeli Rafael company had won a contract for 400 Software Defined Radios (SDR) from Indian Air Force (IAF) to upgrade its entire fleet of Sukhoi-30MKI, Mirage-2000, MIG-29 UPG and LCA-Tejas fleet. BNET-AR/Global-Link Airborne software-defined Radio have been integrated into most of the fighter jets so that the Pilots can communicate with each other without been eavesdropped by the rival pilots in the vicinity.

BNET-AR/Global-Link have replaced HAL developed Integrated Communication suite INCOM 1210A which was considered a highly problematic and unsecured channel. Su-30MKI also features upgraded RAM-1701AS radio altimeter which is also integrated with the newly inducted Dassault Rafale fighter jets.

150 out of 262 Su-30MKIs operated by the Indian Air Force’ are expected to undergo the upgrade program, which is planned to start in 2024 and deliver the first upgraded aircraft by 2025. The prototypes to be launched for the Super Sukhoi program will include new systems in the steps and can start with full-scale upgradation 2027-28. It has become necessary to upgrade the Air Force Sukhoi-30 MKI to keep it relevant in the future air war because its software is deteriorating very fast. The Air Force hopes that the first Super Sukhoi aircraft will be ready by 2025.

The ‘Super Sukhoi’ will be a superb multi-role fighter which will dominate the neighbouring countries and the entire Indian Ocean region. The feathers of this aircraft will be made of carbon fibre. The cockpit and all systems will be improved in the modernisation program. It has been designed in such a way that it will be easy for pilots to shift to fifth-generation fighter aircraft. Along with this, the aircraft will be modernized in collaboration with the BrahMos Air-to-ground supersonic cruise missile program.

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150 out of 262 Su-30MKIs operated by the Indian Air Force’ are expected to undergo the upgrade program, which is planned to start in 2024 and deliver the first upgraded aircraft by 2025. The prototypes to be launched for the Super Sukhoi program will include new systems in the steps and can start with full-scale upgradation 2027-28.

These fighters will be obsolete by the time they are upraded.

Great to see Indians wasting their money.
 
We keep hearing about how India is going to upgrade their MKI fleet every other year for the last decade, and nothing comes of it.

Colour me skeptical.
It is happening at staggered phases starting from next generation RWR to weapons upgradation

IMG-20230205-WA0007.jpg

W😯W!
Probably our first look at Software Defined Radio (SDR) equipped Su-30MKI in service with the Indian Air Force
IMG-20230205-WA0006.jpg
 
We keep hearing about how India is going to upgrade their MKI fleet every other year for the last decade, and nothing comes of it.

Colour me skeptical.

In a way the delay has allowed more indigenous items to be mature and ready to be integrated as part of the Super Sukhoi program. Case in point- the Indian Uttam AESA radar and a new indigenous IRST to replace the ULS-30.

The Uttam AESA will be sized according to the Su-30MKI's radome and given the power available on the Su-30MKI should give immense range. and the new IRST has Television Day Camera, Infrared & laser sensors all included (like OSF on Rafale) for air to air and air to ground target tracking and localization.

Upgrades to the indigenous Mission Computer and RWR will be done, plus addition of an indigenous MAWS which has been in development for a while now.

Also cockpit displays upgrades will all be indigenous, including a new indigenous CSIO developed HUD. Weapons already include a host of indigenous ones like Astra Mk1, Brahmos, NG-ARM (Rudram 1), SAAW and there are list of new ones lined up.

The only area where India still cannot upgrade on it's own is the engine. I don't see that being upgraded as of now, at least not as part of the first block of upgrades.

In a few days time, things will get a lot clearer, at Aero India 2023.
 
The only area where India still cannot upgrade on it's own is the engine. I don't see that being upgraded as of now, at least not as part of the first block of upgrades.
What about permission from Russia for upgrading? Is it required if we don’t take any components from them? Are we capable to undertake this upgrade completely in-house?
 

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