Sukhoi Su-30MKI

I don't think it has even entered serial production yet.

Does the IAF currently have any "AWACS-killers?" I read the Novator was allegedly never completed. I read we bought some X-31's which were considered for alteration at one point (into AWACS killers), but again there's little information out there whether the ones we bought were air-to-surface anti-radar variants or air-to-air BVR's for big targets like tankers, AWACS etc.
 
We should ask only the new engines for MKI to Russia and other upgrades do indigenously. :)

Can't replace the Russian radar in the first phase. Perhaps never. Especially after the FGFA pull-out, replacing the Russian radar will affect our relations.

And it's not suitable for the IAF either. The IAF needs full OEM support since radar and aerodynamics are closely related, which requires giving up too many secrets, which the Russians will not do.

But what we most definitely need is an India-specific radar, with almost full access to source codes, which is what the Bars AESA will be.
 
Does the IAF currently have any "AWACS-killers?" I read the Novator was allegedly never completed. I read we bought some X-31's which were considered for alteration at one point (into AWACS killers), but again there's little information out there whether the ones we bought were air-to-surface anti-radar variants or air-to-air BVR's for big targets like tankers, AWACS etc.

Nothing specific that I know of. Dunno what really happened to the K-100 either.

They want to make a near-hypersonic Brahmos an AWACS-killer. Let's see what happens there. The S-400 will take care of AWACS anyway.
 
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We bought R-27 to replinish stocks as an emergency purchase. It doesn't define future capability.

Plus both the semi-active version and IR version are kickass on the MKI. You fire both, the chances of survival is very low for the enemy.
yes. while you keep taking evasive actions against the semi-active missile, it is the IR missile which hits you kind of beam riding on the semi-active one.
 
India aims to export Sukhoi upgrade

The `Super Sukhoi’ upgrade for India’s fleet of the frontline fighters -- a total of 272 combat aircraft have been ordered by the air force -- is in advanced levels of discussions, with modernization plans for avionics, engines and weaponry on offer.

By Manu Pubby, ET Bureau | Updated: Aug 20, 2019, 10.56 AM IST
1566282590255.png


NEW DELHI: India, which is looking to upgrade its mainstay Su 30MKI fighter fleet to modern standards, hopes to get a toehold into the export market as well by offering the package to friendly foreign nations that operate the Russian origin aircraft.

The `Super Sukhoi’ upgrade for India’s fleet of the frontline fighters -- a total of 272 combat aircraft have been ordered by the air force -- is in advanced levels of discussions, with modernization plans for avionics, engines and weaponry on offer.

Officials told ET that the upgrade has the potential to unlock exports given the large fleet of Su 30s in service around the world that would also require upgrades in the future. “There is a market outside. We are already the only ones doing overhauls for the aircraft and once we conduct the upgrade, we can offer a better solution to the outside world as well,” HAL chairman R Madhavan told ET.

Over 600 aircraft of the Su 27/30 type have been manufactured and large operators include Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and Algeria. China also operates the type but has already reverse engineered it as the Shenyang J 11.


Master.jpg


Among the nations that India could approach with the upgrade solution is Malaysia that is already interested in collaboration for maintenance and upkeep of its fleet of 18 Su 30 fighters. India plans to help Malaysia set up a Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) unit there and train its technicians as part of bilateral cooperation pacts. Other potential partners for the program could be Vietnam which operates 46 fighters of the type.

On the Indian front, the `Super Sukhoi’ upgrade has been talked about for a while but there seems to be a sense of urgency with the IAF, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and the Russian government have been working on the upgrade program. Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa confirmed last month that technical proposals are being shared given that the aircraft have been in service for almost 20 years while Russia raised the issue in 2017 at top level meetings between leaders of the two nations.

The HAL chief confirmed that proposals have been discussed as recently as last month. “The configuration has not yet been finalized but the upgrade basically will include beyond visual range capability, new electronic warfare suites, an engine upgrade as well as a new radar,” Madhavan said.

As reported by ET, the state-owned company has separately also pitched for an order to manufacture four additional squadrons of the Su 30 MKI jets to quickly meet gaps in fighter squadron strength. The air force for now seems to be only keen on ordering replacements for aircraft that have been lost in accidents.

India aims to export Sukhoi upgrade
 
We have one of the biggest crash rate of Su-27 family. are we really qualified to maintain the Malaysian Su-30 MKM ?

India aims to export Sukhoi upgrade

The `Super Sukhoi’ upgrade for India’s fleet of the frontline fighters -- a total of 272 combat aircraft have been ordered by the air force -- is in advanced levels of discussions, with modernization plans for avionics, engines and weaponry on offer.

By Manu Pubby, ET Bureau | Updated: Aug 20, 2019, 10.56 AM IST
View attachment 9572

NEW DELHI: India, which is looking to upgrade its mainstay Su 30MKI fighter fleet to modern standards, hopes to get a toehold into the export market as well by offering the package to friendly foreign nations that operate the Russian origin aircraft.

The `Super Sukhoi’ upgrade for India’s fleet of the frontline fighters -- a total of 272 combat aircraft have been ordered by the air force -- is in advanced levels of discussions, with modernization plans for avionics, engines and weaponry on offer.

Officials told ET that the upgrade has the potential to unlock exports given the large fleet of Su 30s in service around the world that would also require upgrades in the future. “There is a market outside. We are already the only ones doing overhauls for the aircraft and once we conduct the upgrade, we can offer a better solution to the outside world as well,” HAL chairman R Madhavan told ET.

Over 600 aircraft of the Su 27/30 type have been manufactured and large operators include Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and Algeria. China also operates the type but has already reverse engineered it as the Shenyang J 11.


Master.jpg


Among the nations that India could approach with the upgrade solution is Malaysia that is already interested in collaboration for maintenance and upkeep of its fleet of 18 Su 30 fighters. India plans to help Malaysia set up a Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) unit there and train its technicians as part of bilateral cooperation pacts. Other potential partners for the program could be Vietnam which operates 46 fighters of the type.

On the Indian front, the `Super Sukhoi’ upgrade has been talked about for a while but there seems to be a sense of urgency with the IAF, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and the Russian government have been working on the upgrade program. Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa confirmed last month that technical proposals are being shared given that the aircraft have been in service for almost 20 years while Russia raised the issue in 2017 at top level meetings between leaders of the two nations.

The HAL chief confirmed that proposals have been discussed as recently as last month. “The configuration has not yet been finalized but the upgrade basically will include beyond visual range capability, new electronic warfare suites, an engine upgrade as well as a new radar,” Madhavan said.

As reported by ET, the state-owned company has separately also pitched for an order to manufacture four additional squadrons of the Su 30 MKI jets to quickly meet gaps in fighter squadron strength. The air force for now seems to be only keen on ordering replacements for aircraft that have been lost in accidents.

India aims to export Sukhoi upgrade
 
1) First This article was first published in 2017

Refurbished, like New? India Is Getting SU-30MKI Fighter Jets with Second-Hand Engines
This article by Dario Leone originally appeared on The Aviation Geek Club in 2017.

2) Second-hand engines sounds so auto spare parts market. Using this term "Second Hand" sounds like there is an yard with all second hand engine and HAL went there to buy them :P. Wished they used the correct term - "Refurbished". - These are engines that are overhauled at the HAL Nasik Div.

3) When this article came out then - one day it was a BIG THING and immediately the next day - the issue just dead down.

4) The reasoning for use of Refurbished Engine on brand new Su30MKI frames - was that the supply of new engines were not keeping up the new frames being built. SSOOOO .... instead of having engineless frames lying around HAL . They was fitted with these refurbished one so as to complete testing and handing over to IAF

Whether this is right way or not .... experts can weight in this
 
Like the Su-30MKI ? Enjoy looking at beautiful shots of fighters ? Have headphones ?
Well in that case this video is just for you, enjoy you eardrums getting ripped by the screeching of the engines. Do play at full blast.

 
As a general rule, if whatever we're doing is likely to drive us away from Western partnerships (or antagonize/stagnate our relations with those countries), then Russians won't object. As this will ensure India has limited options when looking for solutions in future, and therefore be forced to come to Russia again.

If what we're doing is effectively nullifying Russian influence or market access in a particular field, then they won't stand for it.

Pretty standard procedure for them. Although, in the case of ASRAAM there is a bigger issue. We'd have to slave a Western-sourced missile with the Russian Sura HMD. The integration will not be allowed for obvious reasons. Unless we first replace the Sura with an Israeli TARGO, but of course that requires Russian approval as well. However it's likely easier to get (i.e. slaving Russian R-73 to LCA's TARGO wasn't a problem).
IAF Arming Su-30s With ASRAAMs
https://www.livefistdefence.com/201...ams-may-standardise-missile-across-fleet.html
 
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Replacing the R-73 with the ASRAAM is a very good decision. Although I am worried about the cost.

And the addition of I-Derby ER in the MKI's arsenal is going to be a significant upgrade. The MKI sorely needs an R-77 replacement, and we needed it 10 years ago.

I had hoped that the Israelis will finish the development of the Stunner instead, didn't expect them to cancel it though.
 
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