Wikipedia

Sukhoi Su-30MKI

(Redirected from Su-30 MKI)
This is the latest accepted revision, reviewed on 4 December 2024.

The Sukhoi Su-30MKI[a] (NATO reporting name: Flanker-H) is a two-seater, twinjet multirole air superiority fighter developed by Russian aircraft manufacturer Sukhoi and built under licence by India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Air Force (IAF). A variant of the Sukhoi Su-30, it is a heavy, all-weather, long-range fighter.

Su-30MKI
An Indian Air Force Su-30MKI
General information
TypeMultirole fighter, air superiority fighter, Fighter-bomber[1]
National originRussia / India
ManufacturerHindustan Aeronautics Limited
DesignerSukhoi
StatusIn service
Primary userIndian Air Force
Number built272 as of March 2020[2][3]
History
ManufacturedSu-30MKI: 2000–present
Introduction date27 September 2002
First flightSu-30МК: 1 July 1997; 27 years ago (1997-07-01)
Su-30MKI: 2000; 24 years ago (2000)
Developed fromSukhoi Su-30
VariantsSukhoi Su-30MKM
Sukhoi Su-30MKA

Development of the variant started after India signed a deal with Russia in 2000 to manufacture 140 Su-30 fighter jets.[4] The first Russian-made Su-30MKI variant was accepted into the Indian Air Force in 2002,[5] while the first Su-30MKI assembled in India entered service with the IAF in November 2004.[6] The IAF has nearly 260 Su-30MKIs in inventory as of January 2020.[7] The Su-30MKI is expected to form the backbone of the IAF's fighter fleet to 2020 and beyond.[8]

The aircraft is tailor-made for Indian specifications and integrates Indian systems and avionics as well as French and Israeli sub-systems.[9] It has abilities similar to the Sukhoi Su-35 with which it shares many features and components.[b][10]

Development

edit

Origins and acquisition

edit

The Su-30MKI was designed by Russia's Sukhoi Corporation beginning in 1995 and built under licence by India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).[11][12] The Su-30MKI is derived from the Sukhoi Su-27 and has a fusion of technology from the Su-37 demonstrator and Su-30 program,[13] being more advanced than the baseline Su-30.[13] Russia's Defence Ministry was impressed with the type's performance envelope and ordered 30 Su-30SMs, a localised Su-30MKI, for the Russian Air Force.[14] It features state of the art avionics developed by Russia, India and Israel for display, navigation, targeting and electronic warfare; France and South Africa provided other avionics.[15][16]

After two years of evaluation and negotiations, on 30 November 1996, India signed a US$1.462 billion deal with Sukhoi for 50 Russian-produced Su-30MKIs in five batches. The first batch were eight Su-30Ks, the basic export version of Su-30 (designated Su-30MKI-I by India). The second batch of 10 were also Su-30Ks, but equipped with French and Israeli avionics (designated Su-30MKI-I by India). The third batch were to be 10 Su-30MKIs featuring canard foreplanes. The fourth batch of 12 Su-30MKIs and fifth batch of 10 Su-30MKIs were to have the AL-31FP turbofans. Initially, the Su-30Ks were to be upgraded to final Su-30MKI configuration but were instead returned to Russia between 2007 and 2011.[17]

In October 2000, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed for Indian licence-production of 140 Su-30MKIs; in December 2000, a deal was sealed at Russia's Irkutsk aircraft plant for full technology transfer. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has ordered 272 aircraft, of which 50 were to be delivered by Russia in 2002-2004 and 2007. The rest of 222 planes are to be produced under license at HAL's Indian facilities in 2004.[18] The first Nasik-built Su-30MKIs were to be delivered by 2004, with staggered production until 2017–18. In November 2002, the delivery schedule was expedited with production to be completed by 2015.[19] An estimated 920 AL-31FP turbofans are to be manufactured at HAL's Koraput Division, while the mainframe and other accessories are to be manufactured at HAL's Lucknow and Hyderabad divisions. Final integration and test flights of the aircraft are carried out at HAL's Nasik Division.[20] Four manufacturing phases were outlined with progressively increasing Indian content: Phase I, II, III and IV. In phase I, HAL manufactured the Su-30MKIs from knocked-down kits, transitioning to semi knocked-down kits in phase II and III; in phase IV, HAL produced aircraft from scratch from 2013 onwards.[21][22]

 
IAF Su-30MKI

In 2007, another order of 40 Su-30MKIs was placed. In 2009, the planned fleet strength was to be 230 aircraft.[23] In 2008, Samtel HAL Display Systems (SHDS), a joint venture between Samtel Display Systems and HAL, won a contract to develop and manufacture multi-function avionics displays for the MKI.[24] A helmet mounted display, Topsight-I, based on technology from Thales and developed by SHDS will be integrated on the Su-30MKI in the next upgrade. In March 2010, it was reported that India and Russia were discussing a contract for 42 more Su-30MKIs.[citation needed] In June 2010, it was reported that the Cabinet Committee on Security had cleared the ₹15,000 crore (US$1.8 billion) deal and that the 42 aircraft would be in service by 2018.[25][26]

By August 2010, the cost increased to $4.3 billion or $102 million each.[27] This increased unit cost compared to the previous unit cost of $40 million in 2007, has led to the rumours that these latest order of 42 Su-30MKIs are for the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) and these aircraft will be optimised and hardwired for nuclear weapons delivery. The SFC had previously submitted a proposal to the Indian Defence Ministry for setting up two dedicated squadrons of fighters consisting of 40 aircraft capable of delivering nuclear weapons.[28]

HAL expected that indigenisation of the Su-30MKI programme would be completed by 2010; V. Balakrishnan, general manager of the Aircraft Manufacturing Division stated that "HAL will achieve 100 per cent indigenisation of the Sukhoi aircraft – from the production of raw materials to the final plane assembly".[29] As of 2017, HAL manufactures more than 80% of the aircraft.[30] On 11 October 2012, the Indian Government confirmed plans to buy another 42 Su-30MKI aircraft.[31] On 24 December 2012, India ordered assembly kits for 42 Su-30MKIs by signing a deal during President Putin's visit to India.[citation needed] This increases India's order total to 272 Su-30MKIs.[31]

In June 2018, India has reportedly decided not to order any further Su-30s as they feel its cost of maintenance is very high compared to Western aircraft.[32]

Additional purchase

edit

In June 2020, India decided to place an order for 12 more Su-30MKI aircraft along with 21 MiG-29s. The Su-30MKI order is to compensate for losses due to crashes to maintain the sanctioned strength of 272 Su-30MKIs. The MiG-29 order was placed to form a fourth MiG-29 squadron to bolster depleted IAF strength. The MiGs were ordered despite being an older platform since they were deliverable within a 2-3-year timeframe, because they were built for an order that was previously canceled and since they were very reasonably priced compared to newer aircraft.[33] On 18 March 2022, it was reported that India would order additional 12 Su-30MKIs.[34]

In May 2022, the Indian government suspended the Su-30MKI order due to concerns over Moscow's ability to deliver parts to Hindustan Aeronautics and issues related to payment transfers.[35] On 15 September 2023, the Indian government preliminarily approved ₹11,500 crore (US$1.4 billion) to procure 12 Su-30MKIs for the air force with more than 60% indigenous content to replace jets that have crashed. The additional Su30MKIs will be inorporated with the Super Sukhoi upgrades.[36] As of November 2024, the order is expected to be finalised by the end of FY2024-25.[37]

HAL will be restarting operations of its Nashik plant at Nashik Airport for the new potential orders which was previously used for producing 272 units of the jet earlier. The 12 jets are to be delivered at a short span of time.[38]

Upgrades

edit
 
IAF Su-30MKI firing Brahmos-ER

In 2004, India signed a deal with Russia to domestically produce the Novator K-100 missile, designed to shoot down airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) and C4ISTAR aircraft, for the Su-30MKI,[39] however the project did not proceed.[citation needed] Although not initially designed to carry nuclear or strategic weapons, India has considered integrating an air-launched version of the nuclear-capable Nirbhay.[40]

In May 2010, India Today reported that Russia had won a contract to upgrade 40 Su-30MKIs with new radars, onboard computers, electronic warfare systems and the ability to carry the BrahMos cruise missile. The first two prototypes with the "Super-30" upgrade will be delivered to the IAF in 2012, after which the upgrades will be performed on the last batch of 40 production aircraft.[41] The Brahmos missile integrated on the Su-30MKI will provide the capability to attack ground targets from stand-off ranges of around 300 km.[42] On 25 June 2016, HAL conducted the first test flight of a Su-30MKI fitted with a BrahMos-A missile from Nashik, India. The first air launch of BrahMos from a Su-30MKI was successfully carried out on 22 November 2017.[43][44]

India was planning to upgrade its Su-30MKI fighters with Russian Phazotron Zhuk-AE Active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars. The X band radar can track 30 aerial targets in the track-while-scan mode and engage six targets simultaneously in attack mode. AESA technology offers improved performance and reliability compared with traditional mechanically scanned array radars.[45] On 18 August 2010, India's Minister of Defence A K Antony stated the current estimated cost for the upgrade was ₹10,920 crore (US$1 billion) and the aircraft are likely to be upgraded in phases beginning in 2012.[46]

The Indian Defence Ministry proposed several upgrades for the Su-30MKI to the Indian Parliament, including the fitting of Russian Phazotron Zhuk-AE AESA radars starting in 2012.[47] During MMRCA trials the Zhuk-AE AESA radar demonstrated significant capabilities, including ground-mapping modes and the ability to detect and track aerial targets.[48] At the 2011 MAKS air-show, Irkut chairman Alexy Fedorov offered an upgrade package with an improved radar, and reduced radar signature to the Indian fleet to make them "Super Sukhois".[49][50]

But the plan for equipping the jets with Russian AESA radar was dropped in favor of phase wise upgradation of the jets with Indian avionics like by equipping the jets with Indian made Uttam AESA.[51] The jets got the first phase Super Sukhoi upgrade with the addition of the Astra (missile), a 110 km range BVR missile more capable than the R-77; India also started to replace the Russian made fly-by-wire system with an Indian-made Flight Control system and even adopted a new digital RWR (Radar Warning Receiver) to replace the outdated manual Radar Warning Receiver previously used.[52]

In 2012, upgrades of the earlier 80 Su-30MKIs involves equipping them with stand-off missiles with a range of 300 km; a request for information (ROI) was issued for such weapons.[53] In 2011, India issued a request for information to MBDA for the integration of the Brimstone ground attack missile and the long-range Meteor air-to-air missile.[54]

In February 2017, it was reported that the planes would be upgraded with AL-41F turbofan engines, the same as the ones on the Sukhoi Su-35.[citation needed] In August 2017, the Indian government cleared a proposal of ₹30,000 crore (US$4 billion) to equip the planes with new reconnaissance pods.[55]

India is planning to increase the Su-30MKI's BVR engagement capability by arming its entire fleet with the indigenous Astra BVR missile.[56] having a range of 110 km[57] and the Israeli Derby after it was found that the R-77 active-radar homing BVR missile has inadequate performance.[58] In September 2019, the Astra was in multiple user-trials by Indian Air Force to validate its lethality for the Su-30MKI.[59]

Super Sukhoi

edit

The Super Sukhoi is a programme to upgrade IAF's Su-30MKI fleet which is known as the backbone of its fleet. The upgrade is to be carried out by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) with the support of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and several private companies. Overall, 51 systems are to be upgraded including 30 by HAL, 13 by DRDO and 8 by private sector companies. The Indian indigenous content shall be increased to 78%. The upgrade is to allow the fighter to remain in service beyond 2055.[60][61][62]

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the ₹60,000 crore (US$7.2 billion) upgrade programme on 30 November 2023.[63] Under this upgrade many older Russian subsystems will be replaced by more modern Indian subsystems. Initially, around 90 aircraft will be upgraded to these standards. According to a report, "The project is divided into two phases, focusing initially on installing new avionics and radars, followed by enhancements to the flight control systems." "The upgrade will see significant private sector participation, with HAL as the lead integrator," CMD of HAL CB Ananthakrishnan said.[60]

The current radar is to be replaced with a modern AESA radar, DRDO Virupaakhsha radar (enhanced variant of Uttam AESA Radar) which will increase the detection range by 1.5 to 1.7 times making the jets capable to operate long range weapons like Astra Mk3.[61] Electronic Warfare capabilities of Sukhoi-30MKI would be enhanced by Indigenous DARE's High Band Jammer Pod (HBT), Dhruti Radar Warning System, and a Dual Color Missile Approach Warning System.[64] The programme also includes upgrade and repair of AL-31FP engines.[60]

In May 2024, DRDO's CASDIC released an Expression of Interest (EoI) to collaborate with a Development-cum-Production Partner (DccP) to develop an indigenous Electronic Warfare suite. The allocated timeframe for Design and Development (D&D) 32 months. This programme includes integration, testing and trials of the system that is developed.[65] on 3 December 2024, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) cleared the procurement of Electronic Warfare Suite (EWS) compromising of External Airborne Self Protection Jammer pods, Next Generation Radar Warning Receiver and associated equipment.[66]

The jets will also be modified to fire BrahMos-ER missiles. The project is expected to get final approval from Cabinet Committee on Security soon. The total project will take 15 years of time which includes seven years of development and flight testing and subsequent upgradation and induction of 84 jets.[61]

In August 2024, a report suggested that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has prepared to sign a deal with HAL to purchase 230 AL-31FP engines under a ₹21,000 crore (US$2.5 billion) deal to replace older engines. A total of 950 engines are required.[67][68] On 2 September, Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved the purchase of 240 such engines for ₹26,000 crore (US$3.1 billion). The delivery of the engines will continue from 1 year of signing the contract to 8th year of signing the contract. The engines will be manufactured in HAL's Engine Division Koraput and will have an indigenous content of 54%.[69] The contract was signed officially on 9 September 2024.[70] The first engine was deliered on 1 October 2024 while all the engines will be delivered within 8 years at a production rate of 30 units per year.[71][72]

IIT Bombay has been engaged in the development of Artificial Intelligence-based engine and asset maintenance solutions for spares, inventory and combat potential optimisation. This will replace the current electronic maintenance management system. As of November 2024, the financial aspects of the upgrade programme is being assessed. This will be followed by Cabinet Committee on Security clearance (expected early 2025) and initiation of upgrade peocess taking 5 to 7 years for the fist batch of 84 jets. Sukhoi will also be involved in the project for the upgrade of fly-by-wire system.[62]

Licensed export

edit

In 2024, Indian media reported negotiations between HAL and Russia for exporting Indian-produced Su-30MKIs. This may be to circumvent American economic sanctions on the export of Russian weapons and their technology.[73]

Design

edit
 
Su-30MKI's canards and thrust vectoring nozzles are two prominent features over the basic MK variant.[74]
 
Nosewheel of a Su-30MKI; note the externally mounted drag brace is fixed to the fuselage instead of the gear leg
 
Two Su-30MKIs during a Thach Weave manoeuvre
 
N011M Bars radar
 
OLS optical detection pod used on Sukhoi aircraft.
 
Elta EL/M-8222 Self-Protection Pod mounted on Under wing pylon
 
Tail section of a Su-30MKI. Note the thrust vectoring of the engine nozzles

Characteristics

edit

The Su-30MKI is a highly integrated twin-finned aircraft. The airframe is constructed of titanium and high-strength aluminium alloys. The engine intake ramps and nacelles are fitted with trouser fairings to provide a continuous streamlined profile between the nacelles and the tail beams. The fins and horizontal tail consoles are attached to tail beams. The central beam section between the engine nacelles consists of the equipment compartment, fuel tank and the brake parachute container. The fuselage head is of semi-monocoque construction and includes the cockpit, radar compartments and the avionics bay.

Su-30MKI aerodynamic configuration is a longitudinal triplane with relaxed stability. The canard increases the aircraft lift ability and deflects automatically to allow high angle of attack (AoA) flights allowing it to perform Pugachev's Cobra. The integral aerodynamic configuration combined with thrust vectoring results in extremely capable manoeuvrability, taking off and landing characteristics. This high agility allows rapid deployment of weapons in any direction as desired by the crew. The canard notably assists in controlling the aircraft at large angles-of-attack and bringing it to a level flight condition. The aircraft has a fly-by-wire (FBW) with quadruple redundancy. Dependent on flight conditions, signals from the control stick position transmitter or the FCS may be coupled to remote control amplifiers and combined with feedback signals from acceleration sensors and rate gyros. The resultant control signals are coupled to the high-speed electro-hydraulic actuators of the elevators, rudders and the canard. The output signals are compared and, if the difference is significant, the faulty channel is disconnected. FBW is based on a stall warning and barrier mechanism which prevents stalls through dramatic increases of control stick pressure, allowing a pilot to effectively control the aircraft without exceeding the angle of attack and acceleration limitations. Although the maximum angle of attack is limited by the canards, the FBW acts as an additional safety mechanism.

The Su-30MKI has a range of 3,000 km with internal fuel which ensures a 3.75 hour combat mission. Also, it has an in-flight refueling (IFR) probe that retracts beside the cockpit during normal operation. The air refueling system increases the flight duration up to 10 hours with a range of 3,000 km combat radius.[75] Su-30MKIs can also use the Cobham 754 buddy refueling pods.[76][77]

The Su-30MKI's radar cross-section (RCS) is reportedly from 4 to 20 square metres.[78][79]

Cockpit

edit

The displays include a customised version of the Israeli Elbit Su 967 head-up display (HUD) consisting of bi-cubic phase conjugated holographic displays and seven multifunction liquid-crystal displays, six 127 mm × 127 mm and one 152 mm × 152 mm. Flight information is displayed on four LCD displays which include one for piloting and navigation, a tactical situation indicator, and two for display systems information including operating modes and overall status. Variants of this HUD have also been chosen for the IAF's Mikoyan MiG-27 and SEPECAT Jaguar upgrades for standardisation. The rear cockpit has a larger monochrome display for air-to-surface missile guidance.[citation needed]

The Su-30MKI on-board health and usage monitoring system (HUMS) monitors almost every aircraft system and sub-system, and can also act as an engineering data recorder. From 2010, indigenously designed and built HUDs and Multi-Function Displays (MFD) were produced by the Delhi-based Samtel Group Display Systems.[80]

The crew are provided with zero-zero NPP Zvezda K-36DM ejection seats. The rear seat is raised for better visibility. The cockpit is provided with containers to store food and water reserves, a waste disposal system and extra oxygen bottles. The K-36DM ejection seat is inclined at 30°, to help the pilot resist aircraft accelerations in air combat.

Avionics

edit

The forward-facing NIIP N011M Bars (Panther) is a powerful integrated passive electronically scanned array radar. The N011M is a digital multi-mode dual frequency band radar.[81] The N011M can function in air-to-air and air-to-land/sea mode simultaneously while being tied into a high-precision laser-inertial or GPS navigation system. It is equipped with a modern digital weapons control system as well as anti-jamming features. N011M has a 400 km search range and a maximum 200 km tracking range, and 60 km in the rear hemisphere.[82] The radar can track 15 air targets and engage 4 simultaneously.[82] These targets can even include cruise missiles and motionless helicopters. The Su-30MKI can function as a mini-AWACS as a director or command post for other aircraft. The target co-ordinates can be transferred automatically to at least four other aircraft. The radar can detect ground targets such as tanks at 40–50 km.[82] The Bars radar was planned to be replaced by Zhuk-AESA in all Su-30MKI aircraft, but this has since been abandoned in favor of indigenous upgrades.[83]

OLS-30 laser-optical Infra-red search and track includes a day and night FLIR capability and is used in conjunction with the helmet mounted sighting system. The OLS-30 is a combined IRST/LR device using a cooled, broad waveband sensor. Detection range is up to 90 km, while the laser ranger is effective to 3.5 km. Targets are displayed on the same LCD display as the radar. Israeli LITENING targeting pod is used to target laser guided munitions. The original Litening pod includes a long range FLIR, a TV camera, laser spot tracker to pick up target designated by other aircraft or ground forces, and an electro-optical point and inertial tracker, which enables engagement of the target even when partly obscured by clouds or countermeasures; it also integrates a laser range-finder and flash-lamp powered laser designator for the delivery of laser-guided bombs, cluster and general-purpose bomb.[citation needed]

The aircraft is fitted with a satellite navigation system (A-737 GPS compatible), which permits it to make flights in all weather, day and night. The navigation complex includes the high accuracy SAGEM Sigma-95 integrated global positioning system and ring laser gyroscope inertial navigation system. Phase 3 of further development of the MKI, will integrate avionic systems being developed for the Indo-Russian Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft programme.[84]

Sukhoi Su-30MKI has electronic counter-measure systems. The RWR system is of Indian design, developed by India's DRDO, called Tarang, (Wave in English). It has direction finding capability and is known to have a programmable threat library. The RWR is derived from work done on an earlier system for India's MiG-23BNs known as the Tranquil, which is now superseded by the more advanced Tarang series. Elta EL/M-8222 a self-protection jammer developed by Israel Aircraft Industries is the MKI's standard EW pod, which the Israeli Air Force uses on its F-15s. The ELTA El/M-8222 Self Protection Pod is a power-managed jammer, air-cooled system with an ESM receiver integrated into the pod. The pod contains an antenna on the forward and aft ends, which receive the hostile RF signal and after processing deliver the appropriate response.

Propulsion

edit

The Su-30MKI is powered by two Lyulka-Saturn AL-31FP turbofans, each rated at 12,500 kgf (27,550 lbf) of full after-burning thrust, which enable speeds of up to Mach 2 in horizontal flight and a rate of climb of 230 m/s. The mean time between overhaul is reportedly 1,000 hours with a full-life span of 3,000 hours; the titanium nozzle has a mean time between overhaul of 500 hours. In early 2015, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar stated before Parliament that the AL-31FP had suffered numerous failures, between the end of 2012 and early 2015, a total of 69 Su-30MKI engine-related failures had occurred; commons causes were bearing failures due to metal fatigue and low oil pressure, in response several engine modifications were made to improve lubrication, as well as the use of higher quality oil and adjustments to the fitting of bearings.[85]

The Su-30MKI's AL-31FP powerplant built on the earlier AL-31FU, adding two-plane thrust vectoring nozzles are mounted 32 degrees outward to longitudinal engine axis (i.e. in the horizontal plane) and can be deflected ±15 degrees in one plane. The canting allows the aircraft to produce both roll and yaw by vectoring each engine nozzle differently; this allows the aircraft to create thrust vectoring moments about all three rotational axes, pitch, yaw and roll. Engine thrust is adjusted via a conventional engine throttle lever as opposed to a strain-gauge engine control stick. The aircraft is controlled by a standard control stick. The pilot can activate a switch for performing difficult maneuvers; while this is enabled, the computer automatically determines the deflection angles of the swiveling nozzles and aerodynamic surfaces.[86]

Operational history

edit
 
IAF Su-30MKIs deployed to the Nellis Air Force Base to participate in the Red Flag 08-4 air combat exercise

The Sukhoi Su-30MKI is the most potent fighter jet in service with the Indian Air Force in the late 2000s.[87] The MKIs are often fielded by the IAF in bilateral and multilateral air exercises. India exercised its Su-30MKIs against the Royal Air Force's Tornado ADVs in October 2006.[88] This was the first large-scale bilateral aerial exercise with any foreign air force during which the IAF used its Su-30MKIs extensively. This exercise was also the first in 43 years with the RAF. During the exercise, the RAF Air Chief Marshal Glenn Torpy was given permission by the IAF to fly the MKI.[89] RAF's Air Vice Marshal, Christopher Harper, praised the MKI's dogfight ability, calling it "absolutely masterful in dogfights".[90]

 
Su-30 MKI doing in-flight refueling from Ilyushin Il-78 during Konkan Shakti 21

In July 2007, the Indian Air Force fielded the Su-30MKI during the Indra-Dhanush exercise with Royal Air Force's Eurofighter Typhoon. This was the first time that the two fighters took part in such an exercise.[91][92] The IAF did not allow their pilots to use the radar of the MKIs during the exercise so as to protect the highly classified N011M Bars radar system.[93] Also in the exercise were RAF Tornado F3s and a Hawk. RAF Tornado pilots were candid in their admission of the Su-30MKI's superior manoeuvring in the air, and the IAF pilots were impressed by the Typhoon's agility.[94]

In 2004, India sent Su-30MKs, an earlier variant of the Su-30MKI, to take part in war games with the United States Air Force (USAF) during Cope India 04. The results have been widely publicised, with the Indians winning "90% of the mock combat missions" against the USAF's F-15C. The parameters of the exercise heavily favored the IAF; none of the six 3rd Wing F-15Cs were equipped with the newer long-range, active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars and, at India's request, the U.S. agreed to mock combat at 3-to-1 odds and without the use of simulated long-range, radar-guided AIM-120 AMRAAMs for beyond-visual-range kills.[95][96] In Cope India 05, the Su-30MKIs reportedly beat the USAF's F-16s.[97]

In July 2008, the IAF sent 6 Su-30MKIs and 2 Il-78MKI aerial-refueling tankers, to participate in the Red Flag exercise.[98] The IAF again did not allow their pilots to use the radar of the MKIs during the exercise so as to protect the highly classified N011M Bars. In October 2008, a video surfaced on the internet which featured a USAF colonel, Terrence Fornof, criticising Su-30MKI's performance against the F-15C, engine serviceability issues, and high friendly kill rate during the Red Flag exercise.[99][100] Several of his claims were later rebutted by the Indian side and the USAF also distanced itself from his remarks.[101][102]

In June 2010, India and France began the fourth round of their joint air exercises, "Garuda", at the Istres Air Base in France. During Garuda, the IAF and the French Air Force were engaged in various missions ranging from close combat engagement of large forces, slow mover protection, protecting and engaging high value aerial assets. This exercise marked the first time the Su-30MKI took part in a military exercise in France.[103]

The Indian Air Force first took part in the United States Air Force's Red Flag exercise in 2008. Participating in Red Flag costs the IAF ₹ 100 crore (US$17.5 million) each time. To reduce costs, the IAF decided to take part once every five years. The IAF is taking part[needs update] in the Red Flag exercise in July 2013, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, United States. For the exercise, it is dispatching[needs update] eight Su-30MKIs, two Lockheed C-130J Hercules tactical aircraft, two Ilyushin Il-78 (NATO reporting name "Midas") mid-air refueling tankers, one Ilyushin Il-76 (NATO reporting name "Candid") heavy-lift aircraft, and over 150 personnel.[104]

The IAF again fielded its MKIs in the Garuda-V exercise with France in June 2014, where they manoeuvred in mixed groups with other IAF aircraft and French Rafales.[105][106]

 
RAF Typhoon and Su-30MKI during Indradhanush 2015.

On 21 July 2015, India and UK began the bilateral exercise named Indradhanush with aircraft operating from three Royal Air Force bases. The exercises included both Beyond Visual Range (BVR) and Within Visual Range (WVR) exercises between the Su-30MKI and Eurofighter Typhoon. Indian media reported the results were in favour of the IAF with a score of 12–0 at WVR engagements. They also claim that the IAF Su-30MKIs held an edge over the Typhoons in BVR engagements though not in as dominating a manner.[107] The RAF issued a statement that the results being reported by the Indian media did not reflect the results of the exercise.[108] According to Aviation International News, "In close combat, thrust vector control on the Flankers more than compensated for the greater thrust-to-weight ratio of the Typhoon".[109]

On 26 February 2019, four Sukhoi Su-30MKIs escorted Mirage 2000s into Pakistan for the Balakot airstrike which reportedly destroyed a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist camp.[110][111][112] The following day, two Su-30MKIs on combat air patrol were attacked by multiple Pakistani F-16s using AMRAAM missiles. The missiles were successfully dodged.[113][114] The debris of an AMRAAM missile was later recovered and displayed by the IAF to disprove the Pakistani claim of not using the F-16 as Pakistan can only use F-16s.[115] PAF claimed that it had downed an Indian Sukhoi Su-30MKI in the aerial skirmish.[116] The Indian Air Force stated that all dispatched Sukhoi aircraft returned safely with the only confirmed loss was a MiG-21.[117][118][119] On 8 October 2019, during the Indian Air Force Day celebrations, the IAF flew the Su-30MKI that Pakistan claimed to have shot down.[120][121]

In 2024, IAF deployed 4 Su-30MKIs to multinational Exercise Pitch Black 2024 hosted by Royal Australian Air Force which will be held from July 12 to August 2. The long distance flight is supported by Il-78MKI mid-air refueller, C-17 Globemaster and a hault in Halim, Indonesia. The Indian contingent conprises of 150 personnel including pilots, engineers, technicians, controllers, and other subject matter experts. This will be the largest version of the exercise since its inception in 1981.[122][123][124] The same contingent participated in Exercise Udara Shakti with Sukhoi Su-30MKM of the Royal Malaysian Air Force which was conducted from 5th to 9th August at Kuantan, Malaysia.[125][126] The contingent returned to India on 10 August 2024.[127]

On 23 August 2024, reports emerged that an IAF fighter aircraft had "inadvertently" released an "air store" over Pokhran. An investigation was launched on the matter. Later, it was confirmed that the concerned aircraft was an Su-30MKI while the air store was a Rampage missile.[128][129][130]

Operators

edit
 
Indian Air Force Su-30MKI
A Sukhoi Su-30MKI of the No. 102 Squadron IAF flying over Lengeri village, Assam, India.
  India

Accidents and incidents

edit
  • In August 2022, an Su-30MKI crashed in a paddy field in Assam after suffering a technical failure.[144]
  • On 28 January 2023, an Su-30MKI and a Mirage 2000H of the TACDE were involved in a mid-air collision. The Mirage-2000H pilot and instructor, Wing Commander Hanumanth Rao Sarathi, was unable to eject and died in the accident, whereas the two pilots flying the Su-30MKI, ejected and were hospitalised with minor injuries. Both fighter jets had taken off from Maharajpur AFS, Gwalior for a training mission.[145][146]

As of March 2024, 12 Su-30MKIs had been lost to crashes since the introduction of aircraft in 2000.[147]

  • On 4 June 2024, an Su-30MKI, registered as SB-182, crashed in a farm in Shirasgaon village in Nashik district. The pilots including Wing commander Bokil and Second-in-command Biswas ejected safely from the aircraft. An investigation has been ordered by the Indian Air Force about the cause of the accident.[132][144]

Specifications (Su-30MKI)

edit
 
BrahMos missile under Su-30MKI model at MAKS-2009

Data from Irkut,[148] Sukhoi,[149] deagel.com[150]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Length: 21.935 m (72 ft 0 in)
  • Wingspan: 14.7 m (48 ft 3 in)
  • Height: 6.36 m (20 ft 10 in)
  • Wing area: 62 m2 (670 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 18,400 kg (40,565 lb)
  • Gross weight: 26,090 kg (57,519 lb) (typical mission weight)[148]
  • Max takeoff weight: 38,800 kg (85,539 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 9640 kg (internal)[149]
  • Powerplant: 2 × Lyulka AL-31FP afterburning turbofan engines, 123 kN (28,000 lbf) with afterburner

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 2,120 km/h (1,320 mph, 1,140 kn) / Mach 2.0 at high altitude
1,350 km/h (840 mph; 730 kn) / M1.09 at low altitude
  • Range: 3,000 km (1,900 mi, 1,600 nmi) at high altitude
1,270 km (790 mi; 690 nmi) at low altitude
  • Ferry range: 8,000 km (5,000 mi, 4,300 nmi) with two in-flight refuellings[149]
  • Service ceiling: 17,300 m (56,800 ft)
  • g limits: +9
  • Rate of climb: 300 m/s (59,000 ft/min) +
  • Wing loading: 401 kg/m2 (82 lb/sq ft)

Armament

Other

Avionics

See also

edit

Related development

Related lists

edit

References

edit

Notes

edit
  1. ^ MKI stands for Russian Модернизированный Коммерческий Индийский, transliteration Modernizirovannyy Kommercheskiy Indiyskiy, meaning "Modernised Commercial for India".
  2. ^ A close cousin of the Su-30MKI is the Malaysian version, the Su-30MKM.

Citations

edit
  1. ^ "HAL – Hindustan Aeronautics Limited". www.hal-india.co.in. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  2. ^ "India completes production of Su-30MKI fighters". airrecognition.com. 2 April 2020. Archived from the original on 21 May 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  3. ^ "India's Aviation Behemoth HAL Expects More Orders as It Completes Production of Su-30MKI". defenceaviationpost.com. 1 April 2020. Archived from the original on 9 April 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  4. ^ "India to build Russian fighters". BBC News. 28 December 2000. Archived from the original on 25 December 2008. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
  5. ^ "Indian air force first to field multi-role Sukhois". AccessMyLibrary.com. 17 September 2002. Archived from the original on 12 January 2009. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
  6. ^ "Su-30MKI Multirole Fighter Aircraft". airforce-technology.com. 22 May 2020. Archived from the original on 29 March 2023. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  7. ^ "How Sukhoi-30 fighter jets will help check Chinese footprint in Indian Ocean". Hindustan Times. 20 January 2020. Archived from the original on 20 February 2020. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  8. ^ Pandit, Rajat (30 January 2010). "Russia conducts first test of fifth-generation Sukhoi". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 2 February 2010.
  9. ^ Butowski, Piotr (1 March 2002). "The year of the MiG-29: in 2001, RAC MiG had its best year in the post-Soviet era. Prospects for Sukhoi are improving, too. (Special Report)". Interavia Business & Technology. Archived from the original on 3 June 2013. Retrieved 15 July 2011 – via HighBeam.com.
  10. ^ "Sukhoi Su-35 (Flanker-E / Super Flanker)". MilitaryFactory.com. 29 July 2020. Archived from the original on 29 October 2020. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  11. ^ "Su-30МК – Historical background." Archived 13 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine Sukhoi Company (JSC). Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  12. ^ "Orders For Su-30MKI Fighters Top $5 Billions." Archived 8 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine RTAF, 4 December 2008. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
  13. ^ a b Kopp, Dr. Carlo (1 April 2012). "Sukhoi Flankers The Shifting Balance of Regional Air Power". Air Power Australia. Archived from the original on 16 March 2015. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
  14. ^ "Sukhoi Su-30SM An Indian Gift to Russia's Air Force". RIA Novosti. 23 March 2012. Archived from the original on 6 July 2012. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  15. ^ Malhotra, Jyoti. "Delhi tightrope on Israel red carpet." Archived 2013-02-24 at the Wayback Machine The Indian Express, 20 August 2003. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
  16. ^ "PIB Press Release." Archived 22 December 2015 at the Wayback Machine NIC. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
  17. ^ "Sukhoi Su-30 story in colours. Sukhoi Su-30 fighter worldwide camouflage and painting schemes. Prototypes, experimental planes, variants, serial and licensed production, deliveries, units, numbers. Russia, India, China, Malaysia, Venezuela, Belarus, Ukraine, Algeria, Vietnam, Eritrea, Angola, Uganda, Egypt". Archived from the original on 13 January 2023. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  18. ^ "India Wants to Make Russia's Su-30MKI Air Superiority Fighter Great Again". 10 November 2019. Archived from the original on 6 February 2021. Retrieved 14 February 2021.
  19. ^ "Day after crash, IAF grounds Sukhoi fleet for checks." Archived 5 December 2009 at the Wayback Machine The Times of India, 2 December 2009.
  20. ^ "Sukhoi Su-30 MKI (Flanker)." Archived 10 May 2010 at the Wayback Machine Bharat-rakshak. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
  21. ^ Asthana, Mansij (22 March 2021). "HAL Meets 'Full-Production Target' Of 140 Sukhoi Su-30MKI Fighter Jets at Nashik Facility". The Eurasian Times. Archived from the original on 27 July 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  22. ^ "HAL completes production of 140 raw material stage Su-30MKI aircraft". airforce-technology.com. 19 March 2021. Archived from the original on 27 July 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  23. ^ "House testimony." Archived 3 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine Indian Government, 7 August 2009.
  24. ^ "Samtel to produce Avionics display systems for HAL's star programmes." Archived 4 August 2008 at the Wayback Machine Indiaaviation.aero, 15 July 2008. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
  25. ^ Joseph, Josy. "Rs 15,000 crore Sukhoi deal cleared." Archived 28 June 2010 at the Wayback Machine The Times of India, 26 June 2010.
  26. ^ "Sukhoi jets." Archived 15 October 2011 at the Wayback Machine Mid-day.com. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  27. ^ Sharma, Suman. "Aircraft deals with friend Russia costing dear." Archived 20 August 2010 at the Wayback Machine Dnaindia.com, 17 August 2010. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
  28. ^ "Strategic Command to acquire 40 nuclear capable fighters." Archived 17 October 2010 at the Wayback Machine Hindustan Times, 12 September 2010. Retrieved 20 December 2010.
  29. ^ Radyuhin, Vladimir. "HAL: total indigenisation of Sukhoi fighter next year." Archived 3 January 2011 at the Wayback Machine The Hindu (Chennai, India), 20 August 2009.
  30. ^ "Presentation on SU 30MKI" (PDF). Irkut Corporation. Archived (PDF) from the original on 21 February 2018. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
  31. ^ a b "India to buy 42 combat aircraft from Russia." Archived 24 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine brahmand.com, 11 October 2012.
  32. ^ "IAF not keen on getting more Sukhoi fighter jets". India Today. 13 June 2018. Archived from the original on 14 June 2018. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
  33. ^ Pubby, Manu (19 June 2020). "IAF to urgently procure 21 MiG 29s, 12 Su 30s". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 13 March 2021. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  34. ^ "Indian Air Force to order 12 more Sukhoi Su-30 MKI fighters". Airrecognition.com. 18 March 2022. Archived from the original on 21 March 2022. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
  35. ^ "Indian Air Force Cancels 12 Su-30MKI Orders, Amid Sanctions on Russia". Global Defense Corp. 29 May 2022. Archived from the original on 29 May 2022. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
  36. ^ "Nod for Rs 45,000cr defence buys, 12 more Sukhois to fly in". The Times of India. 16 September 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  37. ^ "HAL in talks with General Electric over delay in engines' delivery: DK Sunil". ANI. 7 November 2024. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
  38. ^ "Aerospace company HAL to ready Nashik plant for production of Sukhoi Su-30MKI jets". India Today. 14 November 2024. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  39. ^ "International Assessment and Strategy Center > Research > Chinese Dimensions of the 2005 Moscow Aerospace Show" Archived 19 June 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Strategycenter.net, 12 September 2005. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
  40. ^ "India successfully tests 1,000km-range Nirbhay cruise missile" Archived 6 November 2019 at the Wayback Machine. The Week, 15 April 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  41. ^ Unnithan, Sandeep. "Fierce fighter." Archived 8 October 2010 at the Wayback Machine India Today, July 2011.
  42. ^ "Indian cabinet clears Rs 8,000-cr plan to fit IAF with BRAHMOS." Archived 28 July 2013 at the Wayback Machine brahmand.com. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
  43. ^ "Indian Air Force flies BrahMos-A on Su-30MKI." Archived 7 July 2016 at the Wayback Machine Janes.com, 28 June 2016. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
  44. ^ "BrahMos Test Success Means India Can Take Out Target in Minutes: 10 Facts". NDTV.com. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
  45. ^ Mathews, Neelam. "India Eyes Su-30 AESA Upgrade" Archived 12 November 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Aviation Week, 10 October 2010.
  46. ^ "Modernisation of Fighter Planes SU-30." Archived 12 June 2013 at the Wayback Machine Press Information Bureau, 18 August 2010. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
  47. ^ "India Eyes Su-30 AESA Upgrade." Archived 2013-02-24 at the Wayback Machine Aviation Week, 11 October 2010. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
  48. ^ "Su-30MKI Acquisition and Upgrade: AESA Radar." Archived 2 August 2012 at the Wayback Machine Indian Defense Projects. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
  49. ^ "IAF's Sukhoi jets to be upgraded to fifth generation fighters." Archived 15 October 2011 at the Wayback Machine Mid Day, 19 August 2011.
  50. ^ "Radical " Super Sukhoi " Plans Underway by IAF". Bharat Shakti. 14 January 2020. Archived from the original on 13 July 2020. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  51. ^ "India will install indigenous UTTAM active electronically scanned array radar on 150 Su-30MKI fighter jets. – Defence View". Archived from the original on 14 April 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  52. ^ Defense, Alpha (26 June 2021). "Super Sukhoi : Next-Generation EW Suite". Alpha Defense. Archived from the original on 14 April 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  53. ^ "IAF to upgrade Su-30MKIs to 'Super Sukhoi' standard". The Economic Times. 28 November 2012. Archived from the original on 7 November 2013. Retrieved 29 November 2012.
  54. ^ Singh, Rahul. "IAF gets lowdown on the Royal Air Force's Libya op." Archived 20 January 2012 at the Wayback Machine Hindustan Times, 16 October 2011.
  55. ^ "India to increase firepower of Su-30MKI to counter China and Pakistan". Archived from the original on 17 August 2017. Retrieved 10 August 2017.
  56. ^ "Indian Air Force successfully flight tests air-to-air Astra missile from Sukhoi-30 MKI". India Today. 17 September 2019. Archived from the original on 25 March 2020. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
  57. ^ "After successful development trials, Astra missile ready for production". 18 September 2017. Archived from the original on 25 March 2020. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
  58. ^ "Outgunned by Pak F-16s, IAF Plans to Re-Arm Its Sukhois with Israeli Missiles". Archived from the original on 28 May 2019. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
  59. ^ "DRDO conducts five trials of Air-to-Air Missile 'Astra'; All successful". pib.gov.in. Archived from the original on 9 November 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  60. ^ a b c George, Sarahbeth (20 February 2024). "IAF's Sukhoi fighter jets to get a Rs 60,000 crore booster: Here are all the upgrades for the new Su-30MKI". The Economic Times. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  61. ^ a b c "'Draft note' on Sukhoi upgrade project all set to head for PM-led panel's nod". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  62. ^ a b Peri, Dinakar (3 November 2024). "AI big focus of SU-30MKI upgrade; IAF taking up pilot projects with IIT-Mumbai, says officer". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
  63. ^ Kumar, Raju (30 November 2023). "India to get more fighter jets as DAC clears IAF's Sukhoi Su-30 aircraft upgrade programme: Sources". www.indiatvnews.com. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  64. ^ Chaudhry, Pratisht (13 November 2020). "Detailed Analysis Of Indian Super Sukhoi, A Jet With 5th Gen Capabilities". DefenceXP - Indian Defence Network. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  65. ^ alphadefense.in (22 May 2024). "EW Upgrade of Su 30 MKI - alphadefense.in". alphadefense.in -. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  66. ^ "DAC approves 05 capital acquisition proposals worth Rs. 21,772 Crores to augment defence preparedness". Press Information Bureau. 3 December 2024. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
  67. ^ Pubby, Manu (14 August 2024). "Defence ministry to sign Rs 21,000 cr deal for 230 Sukhoi jet engines". The Economic Times. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
  68. ^ "Boost for IAF's fighter fleet! Sukhoi 30-MKI jets likely to get new engines in Rs 21,000 crore deal". The Times of India. 15 August 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  69. ^ "Cabinet approves procurement of 240 aero-engines for Su-30 MKI aircraft from HAL worth Rs 26,000 cr". The Economic Times. 2 September 2024. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
  70. ^ "Defence Ministry Signs Rs 26,000 Crore Deal For Engines For Su-30MKI Jets". NDTV.com. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
  71. ^ "HAL delivers first AL-31FP engine of Su 30MKI to IAF under new contract". Business Standard. 1 October 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  72. ^ "India unleashed major defence orders in September; paving way for military modernisation, space exploration". The Economic Times. 13 October 2024. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  73. ^ Abrams, A. B. (27 August 2024). "Indian-Built Russian Su-30 Fighter Could Soon Be a Game Changer on Export Markets". The Diplomat.
  74. ^ "Renewed interest in Russian-made Su30Mk multi-role fighter bomber." Archived 12 January 2009 at the Wayback Machine Accessmylibrary.com, 8 December 2002. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
  75. ^ Taylor, John W.R; Munson, Kenneth. "Gallery of South Asian Airpower". Air Force Magazine. 80, No. 7 (July 1997): p-80. ISSN 0730-6784.
  76. ^ "Su-30МК – Aircraft performance." Archived 16 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine Sukhoi.org. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
  77. ^ "SU-30 Buddy Refueling System Achieves Successful Final Design Review." Archived 1 March 2007 at the Wayback Machine Flight-refuelling.com. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  78. ^ Ajai Shukla (5 January 2010). "India, Russia close to PACT on next generation fighter". Business Standard India. Archived from the original on 5 July 2015.
  79. ^ Jeff Scott (21 March 2004). "Radar Cross Section (RCS)". Archived from the original on 4 July 2018. Retrieved 8 October 2017.
  80. ^ "IAF order worth Rs 250 cr to Indian industry." Archived 24 October 2010 at the Wayback Machine Business-standard.com, 21 October 2010. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
  81. ^ a b "Third phase Su-30MKI delivery to India started." Archived 3 June 2006 at the Wayback Machine Irkut.com. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
  82. ^ a b c Jane's Radar And Electronic Walfare Systems, p. 2089.
  83. ^ Kopp, Dr, Carlo. "Phazotron Zhuk AE: Assessing Russia's First AESA." Archived 16 February 2011 at the Wayback Machine ausairpower.net, April 2012. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  84. ^ "India, Russia certify latest Sukhoi fighter configuration: Jane's." Archived 9 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine Outlookindia.com. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
  85. ^ Bedi, Rahul. "India defence minister admits Su-30 serviceability issues." Archived 23 March 2015 at the Wayback Machine IHS Jane's Defence Weekly, 18 March 2015.
  86. ^ Gal-Or, Benjamin (2011). "Future Jet Technologies". International Journal of Turbo and Jet Engines (online) 28: 1–29. ISSN 2191-0332.
  87. ^ Pandit, Rajat. "Sukhoi base in east to counter China." Archived 23 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine The Times of India, 28 September 2007. Retrieved 28 February 2009.
  88. ^ Pandit, Rajat. "Sukhois 'splash' UK Tornados over Gwalior." Archived 11 December 2006 at the Wayback Machine The Times of India, 14 October 2006. Retrieved 11 July 2007.
  89. ^ Pandit, Rajat."Royal Air Force chief to fly Sukhoi." Archived 12 January 2009 at the Wayback Machine The Times of India, 8 October 2006. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
  90. ^ "Now, IAF mesmerises Royal Air Force". The Times of India. Press Trust of India. 13 October 2006. Archived from the original on 7 November 2013. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
  91. ^ "Exercise Indra Dhanush wraps up at Waddington." Archived 11 April 2010 at the Wayback Machine Raf.mod.uk, 15 July 2010. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
  92. ^ "Exercise Indra Dhanush 07, RAF Waddington." Archived 18 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine Targeta.co.uk. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
  93. ^ "India's Sukhois turn it on in UK skies, turn off radars." Archived 6 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine Cities.expressindia.com, 25 November 2010. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
  94. ^ Parsons, Gary. "Waddington's Indian Summer, Part three: The Exercise." Archived 4 August 2011 at the Wayback Machine AirSceneUK. Retrieved 21 August 2011.
  95. ^ Rice, Bill. "Losing a Battle to Win a War." Archived 25 July 2010 at the Wayback Machine Dawsnsearlylight, 17 March 2005. Retrieved 7 September 2010.
  96. ^ "Exercise Cope India 04." Indianairforce.nic. Archived 19 June 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  97. ^ The Christian Science Monitor (28 November 2005). "Indian Air Force, in war games, gives US a run". The Christian Science Monitor. Archived from the original on 22 May 2015.
  98. ^ "IAF's first ever Participation in Exercise ‘Red Flag’." Archived 24 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine Pib.nic.in. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
  99. ^ "Sukhoi 30 outshone in US aerial exercise." Archived 18 January 2009 at the Wayback Machine The Indian Express, 11 November 2008. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
  100. ^ Trimble, Stephen. "US Red Flag pilot candidly assesses Su-30MKI's limits, Rafale's dirty tricks" Archived 6 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine. Flightglobal.com, 6 November 2008.
  101. ^ Trimble, Stephen. "A final word, from India, on 'YouTube Terry'." Archived 30 January 2009 at the Wayback Machine Flight International blog, 21 November 2008. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
  102. ^ Simha, Rakesh Krishnan (10 March 2014). "Dissecting a dogfight: Sukhoi vs USAF at Red Flag 2008". indrus.in. Российская газета. Archived from the original on 7 November 2013. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
  103. ^ "Indo-French air exercises begin in Southern France." Archived 22 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine NetIndian.in, 18 June 2010. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  104. ^ ":: Bharat-Rakshak.com – Indian Military News Headlines ::". Archived from the original on 7 April 2013. Retrieved 4 April 2013.. bharat-rakshak.com
  105. ^ Garuda-V: Stunning shots from Indo-French air exercise Archived 25 August 2014 at the Wayback Machine The Times of India, Economic Times, 7 June 2014.
  106. ^ Indo-French Air Exercise "Garuda V" Archived 3 February 2015 at the Wayback Machine French Embassy in New Delhi, 30 June 2014.
  107. ^ "Indian Air Force Sukhois Dominate UK Fighter Jets in Combat Exercises" Archived 14 August 2015 at the Wayback Machine. NDTV, 6 August 2015.
  108. ^ Jayalakshmi, K (7 August 2015). "Reports of Indian Air Force pilots beating RAF in combat exercises ridiculed". International Business Times. Archived from the original on 9 August 2015. Retrieved 13 August 2015.
  109. ^ "Indian Flankers Test British Typhoons on Exercise". ainonline.com. Archived from the original on 10 October 2016. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
  110. ^ "Indian Jets Strike on Pakistani Side of Kashmir Line". The New York Times. 25 February 2019. Archived from the original on 27 February 2019. Retrieved 9 June 2021. But it was unclear what, if anything, the attack jets hit on the Pakistani side, raising the possibility that India was making a calculated bet to assuage public anger but minimize the risk of a major Pakistani military response. ... Western security officials have raised questions about the existence of a large-scale training camp, saying that Pakistan no longer runs such camps
  111. ^ "Pakistani village asks: Where are bodies of militants India says it bombed?". The Hindu. 1 March 2019. Archived from the original on 9 June 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2021. Western diplomats in Islamabad also said they did not believe the Indian air force hit a militant camp.
  112. ^ PTI (26 February 2019). "Mirage 2000, Sukhoi-30s, AWACS part of IAF's operation on JeM camp in Balakot". @businessline. Archived from the original on 19 July 2020. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
  113. ^ "Indian Air Force Su-30MKI destroyed the AMRAAM missile that launched by PAF F-16 jet – News – Russian Aviation – RUAVIATION.COM". ruaviation.com. Archived from the original on 13 June 2020. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
  114. ^ Matiman, Abhishek (28 July 2020). "IAF's Rafale, the gust of wind, holding China's PLAAF in a spot of bother". The Financial Express. Archived from the original on 27 July 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2021. The most recent case in point being Su-30MKI fighters of the IAF that successfully dodged AMRAAM missiles fired by Pakistan's F-16s last February
  115. ^ Singh, Sushant (1 March 2019). "India's Exhibit Debris of AMRAAM missile that nails Pakistan's F-16 denial". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 25 June 2020. Retrieved 27 July 2021. "There is enough evidence to show that F-16s were used in this mission and Pakistan is trying to hide this fact. Also, parts of AMRAAM air-to-air missile, which is carried only on the F-16s in PAF, were recovered east of Rajouri within Indian territory", Air Vice Marshal R G K Kapoor said
  116. ^ "Pak Pays 'Tributes' to Two Pilots who shot down Indian Aircraft on February 27". defenseworld.net. Archived from the original on 25 July 2020. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  117. ^ Bhalla, Abhishek. "Pakistan made false claims of shooting down Sukhoi-30 fighter jet: Indian Air Force". India Today. Archived from the original on 22 November 2021. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
  118. ^ ""False Claim": India Rubbishes Pak Claim of Shooting Down Sukhoi-30". NDTV. Archived from the original on 6 March 2019. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
  119. ^ "India trashes Pakistan's claim of downing IAF's Sukhoi jet during last week's dogfight". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 11 November 2020. Retrieved 20 June 2019.
  120. ^ "On Air Force Day, India flies the Sukhoi-30MKI that Pak claimed to have shot down". thenewsminute.com. 8 October 2019. Archived from the original on 29 September 2022. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  121. ^ "Sukhoi Fighter Jet 'Shot Down' by Pakistan Makes Appearance at Indian Air Force Day Flypast". News18. 8 October 2019. Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  122. ^ @IAF_MCC (10 July 2024). "#IAF contingent made a transit halt at Indonesia while heading towards southern hemisphere for Ex Pitch Black 24" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  123. ^ "IAF's Su-30 MKIs to be part of 20-nation mega 'Exercise Pitch Black' in Australia - The Economic Times". m.economictimes.com. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  124. ^ "Korean F-15K vs Indian Su-30MKI: India, South Korea conduct joint air drill during 'Pitch Black' exercise". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  125. ^ PTI; ThePrint (9 July 2024). "IAF's Su-30 MKIs to be part of 20-nation mega 'Exercise Pitch Black' in Australia". ThePrint. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  126. ^ @DDNewsLive (6 August 2024). "The Indian Air Force contingent arrived at Kuantan, Malaysia to participate in bilateral Air Exercise Udara Shakti- 2024 with the Royal Malaysian Air Force..." (Tweet). Retrieved 7 August 2024 – via Twitter.
  127. ^ "INDIAN AIR FORCE TEAM RETURNS AFTER SUCCESSFUL PARTICIPATION IN EXERCISE UDARA SHAKTI 2024 AT MALAYSIA". Press Information Bureau. 10 August 2024. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
  128. ^ "Probe ordered after an IAF plane deploys 'air store' near Pokhran firing range". Firstpost. 21 August 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  129. ^ alphadefense.in (22 August 2024). "An inadvertent release of Rampage Missile". alphadefense.in. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  130. ^ PTI. "IAF jet inadvertently drops 'air store' near Pokhran; inquiry ordered". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  131. ^ "India moves closer to adding $4B upgrades to Su-30 jets - AeroTime". 26 January 2023. Archived from the original on 18 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  132. ^ a b "Air Force's Sukhoi fighter jet crashes in Maharashtra's Nashik: Report". Hindustan Times. 4 June 2024. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
  133. ^ a b c d e f g h "India Ordered, Modernized, Perhaps Regrets Su-30MKIs". defenseindustrydaily.com. Archived from the original on 17 August 2016. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
  134. ^ Dominguez, Gabriel (25 April 2017). "Indian Air Force boosts capabilities near Indo-Pakistani border with new fighter squadron". IHS Jane's Defence Weekly. Archived from the original on 25 April 2017.
  135. ^ "IAF inducts Su-30 MKI into frontline 221 Squadron". 24 April 2017. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
  136. ^ "Wing 45". Archived from the original on 8 January 2022. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  137. ^ "IAF chief Dhanoa flies Mig-21 solo: A list of others in fighter planes". The Indian Express. 13 January 2017. Archived from the original on 9 March 2021. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
  138. ^ "Sukhois set for Gwalior as IAF evolves new tactics". 9 July 2010. Archived from the original on 2 May 2018. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
  139. ^ "MP air station gets three more Sukhoi-30 planes". 21 October 2010. Archived from the original on 22 March 2018. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
  140. ^ "Sulur air base to get one more LCA squadron". The Times of India. 28 February 2019. Archived from the original on 24 February 2021. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  141. ^ @IAF_MCC (1 January 2020). "#Resurrection: 222 Sqn 'The Tigersharks' got resurrected today with state of the art Su-30 MKI Multirole Fighter aircraft. Raised on 15 Sep 69 with Su-7, the Sqn was later equipped with #MiG27 Ground Attack Aircraft prior to getting numberplated in 2011" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  142. ^ "Thanjavur set to host South India's first Sukhoi Squadron". 4 January 2020. Archived from the original on 5 January 2020. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
  143. ^ Singh, Rahul (31 October 2023). "Indian Air Force phases out another MiG-21 squadron". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  144. ^ a b "Indian Air Force Sukhoi Su-30MKI Fighter Jet Crashed in Nashik". 4 June 2024. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  145. ^ "TACDE: The High Profile Establishment in the Headlines Since the Recent IAF Aircraft Crash". thewire.in. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  146. ^ Peri, Dinakar (28 January 2023). "Pilot killed as two fighter jets crash". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  147. ^ "Indian Air Force, Indian Army and Naval Aviation Accidents and Incidents - [www.bharat-rakshak.com]". Bharat Rakshak. Archived from the original on 14 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  148. ^ a b "Su-30MK performance" Archived 18 May 2015 at the Wayback Machine (Russian) Irkut. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
  149. ^ a b c "Su-30MK Aircraft performance page." Archived 16 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine Sukhoi. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  150. ^ "Ancile". Archived from the original on 7 November 2013. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
  151. ^ "Indian Su-30MKI Jets To Be Equipped With Israeli I-Derby Missiles in Two years". Defence World. 29 May 2019. Archived from the original on 6 August 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
  152. ^ "IAF test fires air-to-air missiles ahead of Rafale integration", Hemant Kumar Rout, 19 August 2020, archived from the original on 19 August 2020, retrieved 19 August 2020
  153. ^ "ndian Air Force, Navy induct air-to-surface Rampage missile in its fleet". The Times of India. 27 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  154. ^ Negi, Manjeet (24 April 2024). "India successfully tests new 250 km strike range air-launched ballistic missile". India Today. ANI. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  155. ^ PICTURE: Su-30 MKI flies first sortie with BrahMos missile Archived 28 June 2016 at the Wayback Machine – Flightglobal.com, 27 June 2016
  156. ^ "Captive flight trials of anti-radiation missile soon". THE HINDU. 17 February 2016. Archived from the original on 20 February 2016. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  157. ^ "Indian Air Force To Receive 164 Litening Targeting Pod For Su-30MKI Fighters". defenseworld.net. Archived from the original on 24 September 2016. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
  158. ^ "ELM-2060P Airborne SAR Reconnaissance Pod for Indian Su-30MKI". Spy Flight. Archived from the original on 10 October 2016. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
  159. ^ "IDN ANALYSIS: Sukhoi Su-30 MKI of Indian Air Force". indiandefensenews.in. Archived from the original on 24 September 2016. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
  160. ^ Johnson, Reuben F (6 February 2020). "Indian Air Force needs to upgrade Su-30MKI, says former air marshal". Janes.com. Archived from the original on 9 February 2021. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
  161. ^ "Su-30MKI Multirole Fighter Aircraft". airforce-technology.com. Archived from the original on 7 November 2013. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
  162. ^ "Sky Searchers" (PDF). Jane's Defence Weekly. p. 2. Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 May 2019. Retrieved 22 March 2020.

Bibliography

edit
  • Eden, Paul, ed. (2004). The Encyclopedia of Modern Military Aircraft. London, UK: Amber Books. ISBN 1-904687-84-9.
  • Gordon, Yefim (1999). Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker: Air Superiority Fighter. London: Airlife Publishing. ISBN 1-84037-029-7.
edit
 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sukhoi Su-30MKI.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sukhoi_Su-30MKI&oldid=1261075514"