Indian Air Force Seeks 18 Additional Su-30MKI Fighters From Russia for Fleet Expansion

The Indian Air Force intends to purchase 18 additional Su-30MKI ‘4+ generation’ heavyweight fighter jets from Russia, with the service planning to field over 270 of the elite twin engine aircraft forming 14 squadrons by 2021. Deputy director of Russia's Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC) Vladimir Drozhzhov stated that the service was currently processing the Indian request - adding that Russia had already completed delivery of all components and sub-assemblies India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to manufacture Su-30 jets under licence. HAL is set to build 222 Su-30MKI fighters agreed upon under a number of contracts signed from the year 2000. Russia has provided HAL with 5,803 types of titanium blocks and forgings, aluminium and steel plates, and around 7,100 'standard components' including nuts, bolts, and rivets among other parts needed to assemble the aircraft.

The Su-30MKI is set to remain the most capable fighter jet in the Indian fleet for many years to come - surpassing the capabilities of the lighter MiG-29 and Rafale jets across the spectrum. The aircraft have been modified to deploy a number of non-Russian munitions including British AIM-132 short ranged missiles, Israeli SPICE-2000 GPS guided bombs and indigenous Astra long range air to air missiles, while also equipped with Russian systems such as the R-77 and K-100 long range missiles. The aircraft integrates a number of technologies from the more advanced ‘4++ generation’ Su-35 which provides it with signifiant advantages over baseline Su-30 models.

The Su-30MKI provides India with a cutting edge air to air capability which has proven its worth consistently in wargames, repeatedly winning overwhelming victories against high end Western jets such as the U.S. Air Force’s F-15C Eagles and British Eurofighter Typhoons. The platform was the first in the world to integrate two dimensional thrust vectoring systems, which provide it with a high degree of manoeuvrability. These reportedly allowed it to evade multiple missile attacks from Pakistani fighter jets during skirmishes in February 2019. This paired with advanced electronic warfare systems, powerful sensors and a high speed and operational altitude makes the Su-30MKI a highly survivable fighter - one capable of fulfilling a number of roles from bombing to cruise missile strikes to air superiority.