Su-30MKI: News and Discussion - 24 July 2021

[Tanaji]

VIDEO: https://x.com/Defencecore/status/204434 ... 25965?s=20 ---> An IAF Su-30MKI performing low level terrain masking (canyon flying) during a training flight, flying very close to the Saptashrungi Temple, Nashik.

You can see the trash thrown on the hillock in that video. We have no civic sense…

[Manish_Sharma]

https://x.com/alpha_defense/status/2054 ... 88191?s=20

Some say Modi Government is still not releasing funds for the Super Sukhoi program, around ₹70,000 crores, and only news outlets keep reporting that it will happen.
Others say, “Since 2018 I’ve been listening to this Super Sukhoi nonsense.”

First we need to understand that the new Super Sukhoi upgrade is not your grandfather-era Super Sukhoi.
This upgrade will take the MKI to a completely different level with a GaN-based AESA radar, something even current Rafale variants do not have.
Add to that a new EW suite, digital cockpit, MAWS, a host of new weapons, and probably even a new engine in the future.

If you monitor global fighter programs, you’ll realize the world was still talking about Rafale F4 when many here had already started discussing Super Sukhoi. However, the extent and scope of this upgrade is closer to Rafale F5-level ambition than a routine mid-life upgrade.

Technology of this sort takes time. Virupaksha has only recently gone onto the test jig. Many of these blocks are still under development and validation. They are not yet at the stage where GOI will release full-fledged fund flow for mass execution.

As milestones are achieved, the funds will flow.

There is also a reason why restarting and expanding the Su-30 line has taken time. This is not a simple upgrade packag, it is practically the evolution of the MKI into an entirely new generation of capability.

[ritesh]

https://x.com/InsightGL/status/2040386368334164038?s=20 --->

- 12 Su-30MKI material kits have reached HAL Nashik from Russia
- India had issued a Rs 13,500 crore contract for 12 New Su-30MKIs in December 2024
- Indian Air Force has ~270 Su-30MKI
- Hopefully, these new jets would give some relief to the IAF from the delay in MRFA & Tejas Mk1A acquisitions

Wat happened to claims of building Su30 from raw materials indigenously?

Link
https://www.airforce-technology.com/new ... -su-30mki/

[Cybaru]

If Super Sukhoi platform is going to be so amazing - why not add another 50 of it and upgrade every available airframe? How does our raffy purchases look like given the slowing economy and lower forex reserves?

[uddu]

Indigenous Talon Shield Jammer Pod by Data Patterns Nears Major Air Trials on IAF Su-30MKI Fighters
https://defence.in/threads/indigenous-t ... ers.17800/

[uddu]

IAF must prioritise the low hanging fruits and get that done quickly rather than wait for decades for the Super Sukhoi upgrade to be completed. Take those aircrafts that's not going in for the Super Sukhoi upgrade and Start with fitting Uttam AESA and upgrades like Talon Shield etc kind of procurement that when integrated and done as a quick upgrade will give IAF extra edge every passing year with better Su-30MKI's in service. These kind of decisions can be taken by Air Chief or minister himself. These kind of upgrades will also help fasten the Super Sukhoi program with expertise gained in integrating these systems successfully.

[drnayar]

If Super Sukhoi platform is going to be so amazing - why not add another 50 of it and upgrade every available airframe? How does our raffy purchases look like given the slowing economy and lower forex reserves?

I would assume some airframes are just too old to be cost effectively rebuilt compared to a new one !..

[Rakesh]

The oldest Rambha airframe is ~ 24 years old. Those aircraft are part of No 20 Squadron, Lightnings. Raised on 27 Sept 2002. Comparitively, the Jaguar, MiG-29 and Mirage 2000 airframes are MUCH older and still undergoing hardware upgrades or sub-component updates.

Fleet wide Rambha upgrades are happening, but in two phases/variants. Everything is moving at a snail's pace, till MoD signs the deal for Air HQ's "precious" 114 Rafales.

[Cain Marko]

If Super Sukhoi platform is going to be so amazing - why not add another 50 of it and upgrade every available airframe? How does our raffy purchases look like given the slowing economy and lower forex reserves?

My guess is operational costs. That's what concerns the IAF. Also, the raffle is ready, super30, not yet.

Better to invest in a few vanilla pakfa. More can be built at hal at a later date.

[uddu]

https://x.com/i/status/2058976620481011905
@alpha_defense
Stay Tuned

[nash]

x-post from Kaveri & Aero Enigne :

viewtopic.php?p=2681638#p2681638

https://alphadefense.in/index.php/2026/ ... mki-fleet/

DRDO Components Could Enter Future AL-31FP Production
The long-term objective of the program is to gradually integrate more Indian-made components into future AL-31FP engines. The initiative aligns with broader defence indigenization goals being pursued by Defence Research and Development Organisation and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.

[Manish_Sharma]

https://x.com/DefenseNewsIN/status/2059 ... 28231?s=20

QUIET BUT MASSIVE: India is quietly “eating” the Su-30MKI engine from within!
1/3
HAL is developing a digital twin of the GTDE-117 — the critical gas turbine starter that powers up the AL-31FP engine on every Su-30MKI.
This is the perfect entry point to replace Russian parts with Indian ones. The indigenisation of India’s backbone fighter is accelerating fast.

2/3
Simultaneously, MIDHANI has received CEMILAC clearance for 7 indigenous superalloys replacing Russian hot-section materials — turbine blades, compressor discs & special steels.
₹600 crore order already placed. What used to be black-box Russian imports is now Made in India.

3/3
This is the full Su-30MKI indigenisation playbook in action:
→ 240 engines
→ ₹26,000 crore contract
→ 63%+ indigenous content target by 2032
Part by part, alloy by alloy — the AL-31FP is becoming Indian.
#AatmanirbharBharat is not just talk. It’s happening.

https://x.com/DefenseNewsIN/status/2059 ... 26279?s=20

https://x.com/DefenseNewsIN/status/2059 ... 16123?s=20

[uddu]

Digital Twin of AL31 FP Engine

[Rakesh]

https://x.com/TheMilObserverr/status/20 ... 31898?s=20 ---> India is quietly making its fighter jets harder to shoot down. The Talisman Airborne Defence Suite is being integrated on IAF's Su-30MKI fleet with trials expected by late 2026. And what this system does in combat is genuinely impressive.

• Automatically jams radar guided and infrared missiles without pilot input
• Simultaneously jams multiple hostile emitters with no limit on targets
• Emits zero self-radiation making the aircraft harder to detect
• Protects friendly fighters flying in close formation too
• Already operational on Indian Navy's MiG-29K fleet
• Feasibility studies underway for Tejas Mk1A and Jaguar next
• Developed by Belarusian firm DI, being progressively indigenised in India

Most EW systems require the pilot to manage them during combat. Talisman handles everything automatically so the pilot stays focused on the fight. India is now putting this on its largest frontline fleet.

[Manish_P]

https://x.com/TheMilObserverr/status/20 ... 31898?s=20 ---> India is quietly making its fighter jets harder to shoot down. The Talisman Airborne Defence Suite is being integrated on IAF's Su-30MKI fleet with trials expected by late 2026. And what this system does in combat is genuinely impressive.
...

Nice

Can we have this on a new pylon without sacrificing an existing pylon?

OK. There doesn't seem to be any space.. unless we design a dual-rack

[S_Madhukar]

Does the Super Sukhoi include upgrades for 5th Gen style 360 degree EW coverage ? I mean whatever can be fitted in a slim 5th Gen frame can be easily slotted into a 4th Gen frame as well or will we still need Talisman etc after the upgrade ? I thought we were also making our own EW suite , will that be back if the queue now ?

[V_Raman]

if Midani can make alloys for hot section of AL31 class engine? why not for Kaveri? I thought the issue was with hot section alloys of Kaveri?!

[bala]

Till date the AL31 experiment by India has not flown on any aircraft and such news should be taken with a pinch of salt. Maybe tis all in the labs so far but getting it fly worthy requires high altitude testing and much more and unless all such tests are complete, swapping an existing Su-30MKI engine with this Indian version will not be feasible. Also Russia may object.