Sukhoi Su-30MKI
- Thread starter Ashwin
- Start date
Absolutely. What's the point of aquiring new MKIs of vintage standard? If we decide to procure more, then the future MKIs should have even higher-spec than what is touted for first match of MLU. So we need to have frame mounted DCMAWS that also should function as EODAS along with maybe even DIRCM turrets. The change in aircraft skin from Al to CFC/CNT should also take place. I am also hoping for some sort of radar-blockers(front/back) plus External Weapons Pod mounted between the engines to house 4-6 Astras internally.
All the aforememtioned changes will keep MKI up to date for future threats. MKI's size allows it to house a mammoth GaN AESA radar which can guide something like Astra 3(almost a VLRAAM) to its max range. It's going to be vital for us to take out enemy HVAs from long.
Agree with your other points. DIRCM though is too ambitious considering not even RuAF Su-30SM/35S have them. I'd hoped the Russians would backfit the dorsal/spine DIRCRM system from Su-57 on to Su-30/35 family jets but that doesn't appear to be happening, maybe because of weight or power concerns. Aside from I-D-R-W, nobody else is reporting about DC-MAWS going onboard MKI UPG.
MAWS is specified for Tejas Mk2 and since Tejas has always been a feeder prog for MKI, I think whatever Mk2 gets, MKI would also get.
My dream config of a new-build, indigenized MKI would involve a brand new, composite airframe like you mentioned, with ALL electronics replaced with indigenous MIL-STD types, and equipped with locally-produced GE F110 engines (expanding the F414 line to produce this as well).
A legit Super Flanker would emerge that would be head & shoulders above any J-16.
A man can dream
Please read few tweets above in that timeline..
I am not sure the 12 replacement will in UPG standard because it's already signed.
What Alpha defense alluding is there will future orders post Upgrade otherwise reopening the Production line for just 12 sample doesn't make sense.
Context for that tweet is..
Few news article states there ll be second tejas production line in Nashik facility.
Alpha defense States its unlikely as were going to keep the Su 30 production line. For 12 replacements + additional order of upgraded Su 30.
How're you going to get that when the tech going in on the MKIs will in itself take 8 yrs to be validated ? Post that 8 more years for MLU of 80 odd MKIs.
Are these part of the MLU ? If not we can keep upgrading the MKI to eternity thru another MLU once the present one is over in a mere 16 years time that too for the first set of 80 MKIs. Btw we don't even know the final nos of MKI which'd be thus upgraded.
Since we're going with the same engines, we need to wait for more details regarding UPG. induction timings. 8 + 8 =16 years look like too long, IMO.
Yes, new airframes made with spec of UPG. Batch 2. With every batch, we'll have something new and better.
The upgrade part is probably not related with new su30 orders wrt IAF preferring squadron wise upgrades, not new upgraded airframes. So the existing squadron jets can get upgrades in tranche like planned. Have to balance with engine roh also to compensate with operational nos. The 12 new ones are replacement of shortfall in existing sqn and any further order imo is a distant prospect. Look at how long it took to clear these 12 nos.
I agree . If they wanted to place an enhanced order what better time to do it than now . I don't think we'd be mfg MKI in the 2030s .
The time to do it is now. And if it's not being done now in all likelihood it's not going to be done in the future too.
There are no new MKI orders coming from the restarted HAL line for the IAF.
New jets beyond 12 could either be exported to third countries, or Russia itself may buy Indian production for its own use. Or the line will end at 12 and then turned into a line for new aircraft, like Checkmate or Su-57, for export, 'cause they can't export from Russia anymore. Can't discount jetliner production too, like the Sukhoi Superjet. It's gonna transition into a commercial deal, more or less.
New jets beyond 12 could either be exported to third countries, or Russia itself may buy Indian production for its own use. Or the line will end at 12 and then turned into a line for new aircraft, like Checkmate or Su-57, for export, 'cause they can't export from Russia anymore. Can't discount jetliner production too, like the Sukhoi Superjet. It's gonna transition into a commercial deal, more or less.
F-22 is getting upgrade of its AN/AAR-56 PMAWS sensor with EODAS like IRST based system. MKI UPG. will also need something like that, so that it'll have 360° spherical coverage, allowing it to engage targets who are trying to sneak it from behind/below.
DC-MAWS needs to be upgraded for that along with being airframe mounted for that to happen.
DC-MAWS needs to be upgraded for that along with being airframe mounted for that to happen.
The Su-35 has some of the features you mentioned, but the idea of installing EODAS on the Su-30 is too crazy, so watch to see when the SU30MKI gets a basie MAWS.
the PLA installed it in the early SU27 upgrade
Maybe crazy for you but not for us. We're actively working for our MAWS to also work like all-aspect IRST sensor developing weapons grade track covering spherical 360° aspect of the aircraft. So our EODAS in short.
Seen reports earlier that we're approaching Russia for development of new FCL for the Super Sukhoi upgrades . Was under the impression we already outsourced this work to a local company out here . You know anything about this ? @Rajput Lion
AFAIK, FCS upgrade was always going to be done by Sukhoi guys. But yes, I also would have prefred to go the desi route, but we chose the easy way to maybe placate the Ruskies.
But then what about the report you linked here a few years ago about a Bangalore based party contracted to develop the FCL ?
Maybe a parallel project or we might have decided to not mess too much with FCS of MKI, thus resorting to OEM's upgrade path.
Anyways, nothing is set in stone till the final contract is signed with full-configuration of MKI UPG. Batch 1. Let's wait and watch till then.......
From my observation of HAL, the more advance the PPT is, the less likely it is to be achieved. India would be better off buying the Dutch missile pylons to upgrade its combat capability cheaply and quickly
The SU-30 upgrade programme has been going on for almost 10 years and not a single Su-30 has been upgraded yet. India would be better off with a simple but effective upgrade programme.
The upgrade program started last year. What kind of things are you following?
We were supposed to get an EODAS a decade ago, from Israel, but the Russians threatened to withdraw airframe certification. I guess the Russians wanted the IAF to buy their system.