Just few note on MKI !!!
India’s SU-30MKI fighter-bombers are the pride of our fleet.India isn’t neglecting its high end SU-30s, though. Initial SU-30MK and MKI aircraft have all been upgraded to the full SU-30MKI Phase 3 standard, and the upgraded “Super 30” standard aims to keep Sukhoi’s planes on top. Meanwhile, production continues, and India is becoming a regional resource for SU-27/30 Flanker family support.
The Super 30 represents the next evolution for the SU-30MKI. Upgrades are reported to include a new radar (probably AESA, and likely Phazotron’s Zhuk-AE), improved onboard computers, upgraded electronic warfare systems, and the ability to fire the air-launched version of the Indo-Russian BrahMos supersonic cruise missile.
India may eventually upgrade its earlier models to this standard. For now, they represent the tail end of HAL’s assembly schedule, as the assembly of standard SU-30MKIs continues. The big challenge for HAL is to keep that expansion going, by meeting India’s production targets.
The overall goal is 13-14 squadrons by 2017. Based on 3rd party sources, IAF SU-30MKI squadrons currently comprise:
- 2 Wing’s 20 Sqn. “Lightnings” & 30 Sqn. “Rhinos”, at Lohegaon AFS in Pune (W)
- 11 Wing’s 2 Sqn. “Winged Arrows”, at Tezpur AFS in Assam (NE, near Tibet)
- 15 Wing’s 8 Sqn. “Eight Pursuits” & 24 Sqn. “Hawks”, at Bareilly AFS in Uttar Pradesh (NC, near W Nepal)
- 14 Wing’s 102 Sqn. “Trisonics”, at Guwahati/Chabua AFS in Assam (NE, near Tibet)
- 27 Wing’s 15 Sqn. “Flying Lancers”, at Bhuj AFS in Gurajat (NW)
- 34 Wing’s 31 Sqn. “Lions” & 220 Sqn. “Desert Tigers”, at Halwara AFS in Punjab (NW)
- 45 Wing’s 21 Sqn. “Ankush”, at Sirsa AFS in Haryana (NW)
Initial SU-30 MKI squadron deployments had been focused near the Chinese border, but the new deployments are evening things out. There have also been reports of basings in other locations, though the number of active squadrons suggest that these are yet to come:
- Bhatinda AFS in Punjab (NW, currently 34 Wing’s 17 Sqn. “Golden Arrows” MiG-21s)
- Jodhpur AFS in Rajasthan (NW, currently 32 Wing’s MiG-21 and MiG-27 squadrons)
- Thanjavur AFS in Tamil Nadu (SE) needs to finish building out, but is expected to permanently house SU-30MKIs by 2018. Its SU-30MKIs will offer India comfortable strike coverage of Sri Lanka, including the major southern port of Hambantota that’s being built with a great deal of Chinese help.
BEAST
Ingeniously Modernized MiG 29 Flies
Ingeniously Modernized MiG 29 Flies
MiG 29 UPG, See the IFR, TV guided Bombs and Tank behind the Cockpit
The Indian Air force First Modern fourth Generation Air superiority fighter is the MiG 29. It was produced in mind of Fighting against new American rivals F 15 and the F 16. and The Indian Airforce is the first foreign customer of MiG 29. IAF ordered a Batch of MiG 29 even before it certified the FOC. the Mig formally inducted into the IAF during the 1985 two years later in the Soviet Air force.
MiG 29 is the combat proven fighter in the Indian standards, they flew missions during Kargil, they did close escort for other IAF Bombers they did CAP near to Indian Borders, even more a Indian MiG 29 Locks a Bakistani F 16 through it's deadly BVR missile. due to the orders the F 16 survived, actually the Mig 29 is the best fighter in comparison with Bakistani F 16, since ages the MiG need an excessive upgrade to keep fighting in the Modern Battlefield.
The Indian Airforce Planned to upgrade it's MiG 29 Fleet into modern standard that is the UPG version which will makes the UPG better in all variant of other MiG 29. as of Now the Indian Navy alone operates world's best MiG 29 version the Mig 29 K and KUB version, even after only the Russian Navy placed an order to acquire a squad of Mig 29K to it's Navy, Mostly The Mig 29 operates from the Carrier the Vikramaditya. but can also used from Shore based Naval Runways. IAF planned it's MiG 29 fleet should be more equal to the Navy's MiG 29.The Indian Air force Operates more than 70 MiG 29 B fighters.
Actually the Initial Mig 29 B which is perform only Air superiority Mission, which can intercept Dog fight and Flew CAP, but the new UPG standard allows the Fighter to Attack moving ground Targets, Air to sea warfare and decent Day night and all weather capabilities.
India signed an agreement to the Russia to upgrade the total IAF MiG 29 B fighters into latest UPG Standards the deal signed at $900 million. the deal also covers the first six of the Mig 29 will be Upgraded in Russia while remaining migs will be Upgraded in India, and the Contract Signed in 2009. the Upgrade plans to make the Mig 29 more service life and improved performance.the Major Modernization aspects are the Radar, Sensor Suite, modern Airframe, Modern Cock pit, improved Avionics,
Radar Zuhk ME
The Phazatron Zhuk ME Radar
The N010M Zhuk-M radaer is the Passive Radar which is most suitable for advanced Air to surface mode to fly and Attack at very low due to the Radar's Terrain Mapping and Following who guide the Pilot to fly at very low altitudes. the radar can pick upto sixty Airborne Targets and able to detect targets beyond 200 kilometers. the Radar also allows the Pilot to attack multiple Targets in same time.also a good option of Monitoring a single unit or Building for long time. which is a Very useful option in non conventional and hybrid warfares
The Radar also incorporates the IRST. A infrared search and Track optics which can launch heat seeking missiles without using the Radars also used for launching TV guided Missiles.
Avionics and Sensors
Here again the Indian Master piece mind think that adding Indo Israeli French Avionics and EW suites into the System, A variety of sensors being installed produced by the French firms and Indian Mission computers and
Communication links produced by BEL and HAL, also the Avionics suites Software and Data links are came from Israeli's . same like what the Su 30 MKI version having.
HUD
Top Sight 1 HMD, Tejas, Mirage 2000 and MiG 29 K Uses the same
the Pilots Helmet Mounted Display Manufactured by the Thales Samtel named Top Sight. which is a modern multi mission capable HUD. which can improve the Missile Launching and Flying performance, the Same HUD also used by Indian Mirage 2000 and Naval Mig 29 K fleet.
Engine
The upgrade also include changing the Main Engine into more Powerful series 3 Kilmov RD 33 engines each can produce 50 kN in normal and 81 kN in full afterburner mode. those series 3 engines will be fitted in the MiG 29 K, UPG and Russian Air force MiG 29 SMT versions
Cockpit
MiG 29 K cockpit similar cockpit is in UPG versions too
The Upgrade also include change the entire analog Cockpit into Multifunctional Digital Display. which can help the pilot took decisions faster, able to collect Target information, Surveliiance mission and can able to perform more in Combat Air Patrol Missions.
Airframe
Deal also include structural change of Airframe earlier Models doesn't have wet points to carry more External fuel Tanks and Internal fuel tank is also smaller, but newer version include added upto five We points also large modification behind the Cockpit to carry more internal fuel to Saty in the Air more time, also earlier Mig 29 doesn't have IFR (Inflight Refueling Probe ) but the Upgraded versions include the Refueling Probe.
The deal also include array of Air to Air, Air to Surface and Air to Sea Missiles, the Upgrade standard is same equal as the Russian Upgrade standard of SMT, also The Russians already completed and returned all six MiG 29 UPG to India, and India also successfully upgrade a MiG 29 in home to the Standard of UPG, and It's successfully flown and meets all Mission requirements
@SajeevJino Life of Soldiers: Ingeniously Modernized MiG 29 Flies