Indian Pilot Flight Tests Major Su-30 Fighter Upgrade as Air Force Considers Deep Modernisation

Indian and Russian air force personnel have conducted joint combat exercises using Su-30SM2 fighter aircraft in Russia’s Chelyabinsk region as part of the wider Indra 2026 military exercise. According to Russia’s Ministry of Defence, the training focused on engaging small, low-flying targets and destroying aircraft carrying short- and medium-range aerial weapons. Crews also practised air combat manoeuvres at medium and low altitudes, strengthening operational coordination between the two countries’ air forces. The exercises come as India pursues an extensive modernisation programme for its Su-30MKI fleet under the Super Sukhoi initiative, with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) expected to play a central role. The programme has been reported to target an initial batch of 84 aircraft, with the potential for upgrades to be extended to more than 200 additional fighters. 

After developing the Su-30MKI to meet Indian requirements in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Russia developed a superior variant for its own fleet, the Su-30SM, and has since enhanced them to the Su-30SM2 standard, potentially providing a template for some of the upgrades that will be offered to India. This could include integration of AL-41F-1S engines that have been used on the Su-30SM2, providing a far superior flight performance, a longer range through improved fuel efficiency, and reduced operational costs and maintenance needs. The engines have comparable thrust levels and thrust to weight ratios to early fifth generation engines such as the F119 powering the F-22 fighter. 

The Su-30MKI has been by far the most successful Russian fighter type on foreign markets in the post-Soviet era, with comprehensive modernisation across the fleet expected to be a leading source of revenue for Russia’s defence sector. The integration of the AL-41F-1S can considerably improve availability rates for the large and high maintenance aircraft. It would also provide three dimensional thrust vectoring capabilities. The integration of new armaments, most notably the much improved R-77M air-to-air missile, is also expected. The modernisation of the Su-30 fleet is being planned as talks are ongoing for the sale of more advanced Su-57 fifth generation fighters, which would provide highly complementary capabilities to the Su-30.

The perceived underperformance of the Indian Fighter fleet during operations against Pakistan in May 2025, with the loss of several fighters confirmed including at least one newly procured French Rafale, is considered a major factor stimulating interest in modernising the Su-30MKI. During a visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India from December 4, representatives of both countries reportedly discussed plans to upgrade the Su-30MKI fleet and the possibly of further expanding production. Indian industry was confirmed in August 2026 to be reviving production of the Su-30MKI, with the first deliveries expected to begin during the next financial year. A total of 222 Su-30MKI fighters had before this already been produced under licence agreement with Russia, with 50 more having been built in Russia and delivered to the Indian Air Force fully assembled.