The Indian Air Force’s frontline Sukhoi Su-30MKI fleet is scheduled to receive a significant electronic warfare upgrade as the Ministry of Defence begins the procurement of a new generation of Aircraft Self Protection Jammer (ASPJ) pods.
This upgrade would considerably improve the survivability and combat effectiveness of India’s principal air superiority fighter in disputed areas rife with powerful adversary radars and guided weapon systems.
According to the MoD’s Request for Information (RFI), the proposal calls for the acquisition of 100 ASPJ pod sets, as well as accompanying integration and support equipment specialized for the Su-30MKI platform.
Delivery is expected to be completed within 36 months of the final contract, in line with the Air Force’s overall electronic warfare modernisation strategy.
Each ASPJ pod will be installed into the Su-30MKI, providing active jamming and deception capabilities against both airborne and ground-based radar threats. The pods will allow the aircraft to jam, spoof, or mislead opposing radar systems, limiting the possibility of being detected or targeted by radar-guided missiles.
According to sources, the 100 units described in the RFI represent the initial procurement phase, with the possibility of expanding to cover more aircraft in the fleet.
The Su-30MKI, designed jointly by Russia’s Sukhoi Design Bureau and India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), is the backbone of the IAF’s fighter force, with around 272 aircraft in service across numerous squadrons.
Since its introduction in September 2002, the Sukhoi Su-30MKI has grown into a highly adaptable vehicle capable of deep interdiction, long-range air superiority, reconnaissance, and precision attack operations. Its twin-engine architecture, longer range, and multi-role avionics suite enable long-term operations across many war theatres.
In recent years, the IAF has gradually modernized its aircraft using indigenous and joint venture equipment. Notably, various models have been modified to carry the air-launched BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, providing India with strategic long-range strike capability against high-value targets including surface warships and fortified infrastructure.
The anticipated incorporation of ASPJ pods builds on these improvements by improving electronic survivability against opposing defenses.
The ASPJ effort is part of the IAF’s greater shift toward networked warfare, in which aircraft, sensors, and armament systems operate in synchronized electronic settings.
These jammer pods are planned to include modern modular architecture, allowing for future enhancements in frequency coverage, power output, and digital processing. Such versatility will ensure relevance in the next decades as electronic and radar threats evolve.
This approach also reflects India’s increased emphasis on developing self-sufficient electronic warfare ecosystems, which would be supported by domestic R&D and defense industry partnerships.
Multiple laboratories and firms will most likely be involved in the selection and integration process within the DRDO-HAL-MoD collaboration framework, assuring technological absorption and long-term sustainability.
With this upgrade, the Su-30MKI fleet will become a more resilient and capable force multiplier in the IAF’s inventory, capable of combating modern adversary air defense and radar systems while assuring mission success in complicated electronic warfare scenarios.
