Sukhoi Su-30MKI

As of November 2024, the financial aspects of the upgrade programme is being assessed. This will be followed by government clearance, which is expected early 2025. The first phase of the project, will include the upgradation of 84 jets which will take 15 years including testing and certification process followed by the upgrade process will take 5 to 7 years.<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":4" />

As of November 2024, the financial aspects of the upgrade programme is being assessed. This will be followed by government clearance, which is expected early 2025. The first phase of the project, will include the upgradation of 84 jets which will take 15 years including testing and certification process followed by the upgrade process will take 5 to 7 years.<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":4" />

India is reportedly looking at a massive upgrade for its fleet of Sukhoi 30-MKI fighter jets to include modern avionics and latest radar. Defence Minister [[Rajnath Singh]] discussed the matter with his Russian counterpart, [[Andrey Belousov]] on the sidelines of the [[Shanghai Cooperation Organisation|Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)]] Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Qingdao, China, on 26 May. The Sukhoi-30MKI upgrade will include integrating Indian-made avionics, radar, and mission computers. The DRDO-developed Uttam Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar will enhance detection and tracking capabilities. Additionally, the aircraft will receive a fully digital glass cockpit featuring large touchscreens to improve pilot situational awareness. A new mission computer will also be installed to handle the increased processing power required by the upgraded avionics. India aims to incorporate 78 per cent indigenous components in the upgraded aircraft, boosting local manufacturing and reducing dependency on foreign suppliers. The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) that license-produces the Sukhoi-30MKI in India is going to sign the work share contract for the Sukhoi upgrade.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-06-27 |title=As India looks for a massive upgrade of Sukhoi jets, Rajnath meets Russian counterpart |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/india/as-india-looks-for-a-massive-upgrade-of-sukhoi-jets-rajnath-meets-russian-counterpart/amp |access-date=2025-06-27 |work=The Tribune}}</ref>

India is reportedly looking at a massive upgrade for its fleet of Sukhoi 30-MKI fighter jets to include modern avionics and latest radar. Defence Minister [[Rajnath Singh]] discussed the matter with his Russian counterpart, [[Andrey Belousov]] on the sidelines of the [[Shanghai Cooperation Organisation|Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)]] Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Qingdao, China, on 26 May. The Sukhoi-30MKI upgrade will include integrating Indian-made avionics, radar, and mission computers. The DRDO-developed Uttam Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar will enhance detection and tracking capabilities. Additionally, the aircraft will receive a fully digital glass cockpit featuring large touchscreens to improve pilot situational awareness. A new mission computer will also be installed to handle the increased processing power required by the upgraded avionics. India aims to incorporate 78 per cent indigenous components in the upgraded aircraft, boosting local manufacturing and reducing dependency on foreign suppliers. The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) that license-produces the Su-30MKI in India is going to sign the work share contract for the Sukhoi upgrade.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-06-27 |title=As India looks for a massive upgrade of Sukhoi jets, Rajnath meets Russian counterpart |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/india/as-india-looks-for-a-massive-upgrade-of-sukhoi-jets-rajnath-meets-russian-counterpart/amp |access-date=2025-06-27 |work=The Tribune}}</ref>

The project is likely to be reviewed in the first week of July 2025, by the DAC under the [[Ministry of Defence (India)|Ministry of Defence]] during a scheduled meeting.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-07-01 |title=Defence Ministry to clear Rs 1 lakh crore worth of military deals post Op Sindoor |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/defence-ministry-clears-rupees-one-lakh-crore-defence-deals-operation-sindoor-su-30mki-fighter-jets-drdo-2748655-2025-07-01 |access-date=2025-07-04 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Trivedi |first=Saurabh |date=2025-06-30 |title=Defence Ministry set to clear major acquisitions post Operation Sindoor |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/defence-ministry-set-to-clear-major-acquisitions-post-operation-sindoor/article69756827.ece |access-date=2025-07-04 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=India's Su-30MKI Set For Rs 66,829 Cr Super-30 Upgrade, To Outclass Pakistan’s F-16s |url=https://www.news18.com/india/indias-su-30mki-set-for-rs-66829-cr-super-30-upgrade-to-outclass-pakistans-f-16s-ws-dkl-9418052.html |access-date=2025-07-04 |website=News18 |language=en}}</ref>

The project is likely to be reviewed in the first week of July 2025, by the DAC under the [[Ministry of Defence (India)|Ministry of Defence]] during a scheduled meeting.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-07-01 |title=Defence Ministry to clear Rs 1 lakh crore worth of military deals post Op Sindoor |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/defence-ministry-clears-rupees-one-lakh-crore-defence-deals-operation-sindoor-su-30mki-fighter-jets-drdo-2748655-2025-07-01 |access-date=2025-07-04 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Trivedi |first=Saurabh |date=2025-06-30 |title=Defence Ministry set to clear major acquisitions post Operation Sindoor |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/defence-ministry-set-to-clear-major-acquisitions-post-operation-sindoor/article69756827.ece |access-date=2025-07-04 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=India's Su-30MKI Set For Rs 66,829 Cr Super-30 Upgrade, To Outclass Pakistan’s F-16s |url=https://www.news18.com/india/indias-su-30mki-set-for-rs-66829-cr-super-30-upgrade-to-outclass-pakistans-f-16s-ws-dkl-9418052.html |access-date=2025-07-04 |website=News18 |language=en}}</ref>

==== AESA radar ====

==== AESA radar ====

The current radar is to be replaced with a modern AESA radar named [[Uttam AESA Radar#Virupaakhsha|DRDO Virupaakhsha]] (enhanced variant of [[Uttam AESA Radar]]) which will increase the detection range by 1.5 to 1.7 times making the jets capable to operate long range weapons like [[Astra (missile)|Astra Mk3]].<ref name=":3" /> [[Electromagnetic warfare|Electronic Warfare]] capabilities of Sukhoi-30MKI would be enhanced by Indigenous DARE's High Band Jammer Pod (HBT), Dhruti Radar Warning System, and a Dual Color Missile Approach Warning System.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chaudhry |first=Pratisht |date=2020-11-13 |title=Detailed Analysis Of Indian Super Sukhoi, A Jet With 5th Gen Capabilities. |url=https://www.defencexp.com/detailed-analysis-of-indian-super-sukhoi-a-jet-with-5th-gen-capabilities/ |access-date=2024-02-20 |website=DefenceXP - Indian Defence Network |language=en-US}}</ref> The programme also includes upgrade and repair of [[Al-31FP|AL-31FP]] engines.<ref name=":2" />

The current radar is to be replaced with a modern AESA radar named [[Uttam AESA Radar#Virupaakhsha|DRDO Virupaakhsha]] (enhanced variant of [[Uttam AESA Radar]]) which will increase the detection range by 1.5 to 1.7 times making the jets capable to operate long range weapons like [[Astra (missile)|Astra Mk3]].<ref name=":3" />

==== Electronic warfare suite ====

==== Electronic warfare suite ====

In May 2024, DRDO's [[Combat Aircraft Systems Development & Integration Centre|CASDIC]] released an Expression of Interest (EoI) to collaborate with a Development-cum-Production Partner (DccP) to develop an indigenous [[Electromagnetic warfare|Electronic Warfare]] suite. The allocated timeframe for Design and Development (D&D) 32 months. This programme includes integration, testing and trials of the system that is developed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=alphadefense.in |date=2024-05-22 |title=EW Upgrade of Su 30 MKI - alphadefense.in |url=https://alphadefense.in/index.php/2024/05/22/ew-upgrade-of-su-30-mki/ |access-date=2024-05-23 |website=alphadefense.in - |language=en-US}}</ref> On 3 December 2024, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) cleared the procurement of Electronic Warfare Suite (EWS) compromising of External Airborne [[Electronic countermeasure#Aircraft ECM|Self Protection Jammer]] pods, Next Generation [[Radar warning receiver|Radar Warning Receiver]] and associated equipment.<ref name=":62">{{Cite news |date=2024-12-03 |title=DAC approves 05 capital acquisition proposals worth Rs. 21,772 Crores to augment defence preparedness |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2080155 |access-date=2024-12-03 |work=[[Press Information Bureau]]}}</ref>

In May 2024, DRDO's [[Combat Aircraft Systems Development & Integration Centre|CASDIC]] released an Expression of Interest (EoI) to collaborate with a Development-cum-Production Partner (DccP) to develop an indigenous [[Electromagnetic warfare|Electronic Warfare]] suite. The allocated timeframe for Design and Development (D&D) 32 months. This programme includes integration, testing and trials of the system that is developed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=alphadefense.in |date=2024-05-22 |title=EW Upgrade of Su 30 MKI - alphadefense.in |url=https://alphadefense.in/index.php/2024/05/22/ew-upgrade-of-su-30-mki/ |access-date=2024-05-23 |website=alphadefense.in - |language=en-US}}</ref> On 3 December 2024, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) cleared the procurement of Electronic Warfare Suite (EWS) compromising of External Airborne [[Electronic countermeasure#Aircraft ECM|Self Protection Jammer]] pods, Dhruti Next Generation [[Radar warning receiver|Radar Warning Receiver]], Dual Color [[Missile approach warning system|Missile Approach Warning System]] and associated equipment.<ref name=":62">{{Cite news |date=2024-12-03 |title=DAC approves 05 capital acquisition proposals worth Rs. 21,772 Crores to augment defence preparedness |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2080155 |access-date=2024-12-03 |work=[[Press Information Bureau]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Chaudhry |first=Pratisht |date=2020-11-13 |title=Detailed Analysis Of Indian Super Sukhoi, A Jet With 5th Gen Capabilities. |url=https://www.defencexp.com/detailed-analysis-of-indian-super-sukhoi-a-jet-with-5th-gen-capabilities/ |access-date=2024-02-20 |website=DefenceXP - Indian Defence Network |language=en-US}}</ref>

==== Lon-range weapons ====

==== Long-range weapons ====

The jets will also be modified to fire [[BrahMos|BrahMos-ER]] missiles. Other missiles which are to be integrated on these jets include [[Rudram (missile)|Rudram-II]], [[Astra (missile)|Astra series]] and [[R-37M]] missiles.<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-07-04 |title=Super Su-30: India plans Rs 60,000 crore booster for its main fighter jet. From radars to missiles, here’s what it’ll get |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/super-su-30-india-plans-rs-60000-crore-booster-for-its-main-fighter-jet-from-radars-to-missiles-heres-what-itll-get/articleshow/122244418.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2025-07-06 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref>

The jets will also be modified to fire [[BrahMos|BrahMos-ER]] missiles. Other missiles which are to be integrated on these jets include [[Rudram (missile)|Rudram-II]], [[Astra (missile)|Astra series]] and [[R-37M]] missiles.<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-07-04 |title=Super Su-30: India plans Rs 60,000 crore booster for its main fighter jet. From radars to missiles, here’s what it’ll get |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/super-su-30-india-plans-rs-60000-crore-booster-for-its-main-fighter-jet-from-radars-to-missiles-heres-what-itll-get/articleshow/122244418.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2025-07-06 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref>