As India looks for a massive upgrade of Sukhoi jets, Rajnath meets Russian counterpart
India is looking at a massive upgrade for its fleet of Sukhoi 30-MKI fighter jets to include modern avionics, the latest radar, and 78 per cent indigenous content.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has discussed the matter with his Russian counterpart, Andrey Belousov.
The Indian Air Force flies some 260 Sukhoi 30-MKI jets, and these played a major role in Operation Sindoor, including the delivery of the air-launched version of the Brahmos missile on Pakistan’s air bases on May 10.
Rajnath Singh met Belousov on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Qingdao, China, on Thursday.
The two Ministers held in-depth discussions on a range of subjects covering current geopolitical situations, cross-border terrorism, and Indo-Russian defence cooperation, the Ministry of Defence said on Friday morning.
It was one of the most important recent meetings between the leaders of the two nations, being held against the backdrop of Operation Sindoor and the consequent necessity of augmenting defence production.
The MoD said, “this would include critical items such as air defence, air-to-air missiles, modern capabilities, and upgrades of air platforms, supply of S-400 systems, Sukhoi-30 MKI upgrades, and procurement of critical military hardware in expeditious timeframes.”
About four months ago, in February, Russia offered the engine that powers its latest stealth fighter jet, the Sukhoi-57, for the upgrade program of the existing Sukhoi-30MKI fleet.
The Sukhoi-30MKI is powered by the AL-31 engine, which is less powerful than the AL-41 used in the Sukhoi-57 stealth jet. Russia’s proposal includes replacing the existing engines with the more advanced AL-41.
The performance of the Sukhoi-57, which flew at Aero India in Bengaluru in February, has not gone unnoticed.
The Sukhoi-30MKI upgrade will include integrating Indian-made avionics, radar, and mission computers. The DRDO-developed Uttam Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar will enhance detection and tracking capabilities. Additionally, the aircraft will receive a fully digital glass cockpit featuring large touchscreens to improve pilot situational awareness. A new mission computer will also be installed to handle the increased processing power required by the upgraded avionics.
India aims to incorporate 78 per cent indigenous components in the upgraded aircraft, boosting local manufacturing and reducing dependency on foreign suppliers.
The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) — the company that license-produces the Sukhoi-30MKI in India — is going to sign the work-share contract for the Sukhoi upgrade.
The Russian Defence Minister, at his meeting with Rajnath Singh, highlighted the long-standing Indo-Russian relations, which have stood the test of time, and expressed solidarity with India on the horrendous and cowardly terrorist act of April 22nd in Pahalgham, Jammu & Kashmir.
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