According to the IAF Chief, around 75% of the Indian Air Force’s Sukhoi Su-30MKI fleet, or 200 out of 272 aircraft, would undergo the full ‘Super Sukhoi’ upgrading program.
This modernisation initiative is one of the most substantial mid-life upgrades for frontline fighters in IAF service since the Su-30MKI was introduced in the early 2000s.
The October 3 news conference at Air Headquarters in New Delhi, held on the occasion of Air Force Day, set the stage for critical explanations on the Indian Air Force’s operational preparedness and modernization push. IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh discussed significant issues such as squadron shortages, jet acquisitions, and unmanned system integration.
However, the highlight was the long-awaited announcement of India’s mammoth Su-30MKI upgrade plan, also known as the Super Sukhoi standard.
The Super Sukhoi program will prioritize a significant upgrade of the aircraft’s avionics suite, cockpit systems, electronic warfare capabilities, and radar. The current Indian-Russian hybrid avionics will be replaced or updated with next-generation indigenous and imported equipment, bringing the Su-30MKI up to the capability level of modern 4.5-generation fighters. Wide-area displays in the cockpit, sophisticated mission computers, and improved communication and navigation systems are among the most significant advancements.
One of the most significant enhancements is the integration of a new UTTAM AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar. This is likely to replace the present N011M Bars radar, increasing detection range, target tracking capability, and jamming resistance. The AESA radar will be important in allowing the Su-30MKI to counter stealthier threats, boost situational awareness, and work with Indian-developed missiles.
The improvement is also expected to improve cockpit ergonomics by providing larger multifunction screens and better pilot situational awareness systems.
The initiative will introduce cutting-edge electronic warfare suites with enhanced jamming, countermeasure pods, and improved sensor fusion. Radar warning receivers, missile approach warning systems, and integration with upgraded chaff and flare dispensing units will all help to improve survival rates. This is to ensure that the Su-30MKI can operate in highly disputed airspace against sophisticated surface-to-air missile (SAM) threats.
Perhaps the most significant shift will be the merging of sophisticated air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles. The Su-30MKI will serve as the principal launch vehicle for India’s long-range BrahMos cruise missile variants, as well as newer indigenous weapons like the Astra MK-II and MK-III Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile. Other solutions being considered include high-speed precision stand-off weapons and next-generation glide bombs.
With these modifications, the Su-30MKI fleet will continue to be the foundation of the IAF’s combat aviation capacity well into the 2030s. The addition of cutting-edge avionics and armaments will turn the aircraft from a heavy multirole fighter to an effective networked combat platform capable of coexisting with Rafale fighters, future TEJAS MK-2, and AMCA aircraft.
The program also has a substantial ‘Make in India’ component, with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and DRDO playing major roles in system integration, radar development, and EW architecture. Much of the upgrading work is likely to be insourced, decreasing reliance on Russian suppliers during a period of shifting geopolitical circumstances.
