More Sukhois to Get Extended Range Brahmos
The IAF has decided to indigenously modernize the Su-30 MKI fighters with indigenously-designed weapons, electronic warfare systems, and so on.
Indigenous efforts will promote self-reliance in defence, circumvent possible US sanctions, and continue to nurture close defence cooperation with Russia. The 262-aircraft Su-30MKI fleet is and will likely remain the backbone of the Indian Air Force (IAF) for many decades. The technical parameters for the major Sukhoi upgrade are being refined.
The large size of the aircraft not only facilitates upgrades but also leaves room for metamorphoses to futuristic roles such as a weapons truck operating with a penetrating sensor & attack platform such as the AMCA, or a mothership controlling LO loyal wingman UCAVs in a system of system approach similar to the US Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD).
The IAF is the largest operator of the Su-30 variant. Over the past 20 years, India has made significant IPR & infrastructure investments in assembling, operating, servicing (overhaul, spares manufacture), and spiral upgrading (Brahmos-A, Astra, Rudram) the Su-30MKI.
84 Sukhois are likely to be modernised in the first tranche. Modernization will kick off after 4-5 years of design and development.
Besides the ability to carry advanced indigenously developed weapons, the finalized technical parameters would likely include an improved Infrared Imaging Search and Track System (IRST), AESA radar & a more powerful engine.
Imaging Search and Track System. The DRDO is working on the design & development of a Long Range Dual Band IRST for Su-30 MKI aircraft under the ‘Make II’ sub-category. The DAC approved the project in May 2018. On April 26, 2022, HAL and BEL reportedly signed a contract for the co-development and co-production of Long Range Dual Band IRST. The proposed IRST system will be a high-end strategic technology product in the field of defense avionics and technically competitive to existing IRST system in the global market with features of Television Day Camera, Infrared & Laser sensors in a single window for air-to-air and air-to-ground target tracking and localization.
AESA Radar. The modernized Su-30MKI will likely feature an AESA radar to replace its N011M BARS Radar. DRDO, which has already developed the Uttam AESA for the LCA, is reportedly working with HAL & Russian OEM to develop an AESA for the Su-30MKI. Considering the size of the nose cross-section of the Sukhoi, the radar could be the most potent airborne AESA equipping a fighter aircraft.
Engine Upgrade. India will likely procure the engine for the modernized fighter from Russia. Russia is developing an AL-41F-1S (Product 117S) engine variant that could be fitted on Su-30MKI fighters without any airframe modification. Tests of Su-30SM with the AL-41F-1S engine were underway, with completion scheduled for December 2023. Compared to the existing power plant of the Su-30MKI, the AL-41F-1S has 16% more (14,500 kgf) thrust, better Specific Fuel Consumption, improved endurance, and an overhaul life of 4,000 flight hours.
Russian Help. Russia will help India with the modernization without directly participating in it but as part of the “Make in India” programme. They are likely to supply additional technical kits for the assembly of the Su-30MKI and joint work on the modernization, including the integration of the latest aviation weapons and avionics.
Lethality With BrahMos Increased
The IAF is set to increase the number of Sukhoi 30 (SU-30) MKI fighters integrated with BrahMos supersonic missile, which now has a range of over 500 kilometres. These are spread on the country’s western border with Pakistan and its eastern boundary with China.
The IAF currently has 40 SU-30 MKI with BrahMos, the only supersonic cruise missile in the world. While the range of the missile was 290 km earlier, it has been extended to over 500 km. The IAF had tested the extended range of the missile in May. There were certain software changes that had to be made for extending the missile’s range and this was done with the help of Russians.
The land-launched BrahMos has a range of about 400 kilometres and work is also to increase its range to 800 and 1,500-km.
The IAF had commissioned the 222 ‘Tiger Sharks’ squadron of Sukhoi Su-30 MKI fighter jets equipped with the BrahMos in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, in August 2020. The decision to deploy the Su-30 MKIs at Thanjavur was also taken due to its strategic location. The Tiger Sharks squadron has 18 fighters, and about six of which are equipped with BrahMos.
Unlike the land-launched, the air version of BrahMos gives military planners more options to hit deeper targets which would otherwise be out of range. This is because the Sukhois have a range of 1,500 kilometres and hence can hit long distance targets with the cruise missile.
The missile has a maximum speed of 2.8 Mach (around 3,450 kmph or 2,148 mph), and is difficult to intercept by surface-to-air missiles currently deployed from warships across the world. It also has an immense ability to evade radars. The missile’s cruising altitude can be up to 15 km, and the lowest it can fly is 10 metres above the surface and is capable of carrying a conventional warhead (non-nuclear) weighing 200-300 kg.
Su-30MKI Indigenous Upgrade Proposed Equipment Fit (Alphabetical)
Advanced Tactical Air Navigation System (TACAN )
Advanced Weapon Control System
Advanced Electronically Scanned Array radar
Aviation Clock
Blanking Unit
CIT
Digital Head Up Display (HUD)
Enhanced EW Suite
Enhanced FDR
Flight Data Transfer Unit clue
GPS Splitter
Higher Size Multi-Function Display System (MFDS)
Helmet Mounted Observation System (HMOS)
Health & Usage Monitoring System (HUMS)
Identification Friend or Foe (IFF)
Indigenous Digital Map Generator (DMG)
Indigenous Solid State Digital Video Recording System (SSDVRS)
Indigenous VOR/ILS
Indigenous/Western Weapons
Imaging Search and Track System (IRTS)
Integrated Stand By Instrument Sys
Mission Computers
Modified INGPS
New Line of Position (LOP)
Software Defined Radio
Upgraded Radio Altimeter
Voice Activated Command System
India has already developed the following:
Mission Computer cum Display Processor
Radar Computer which is RC1 and Rc2
Mk2 Radar Warning Receiver (RWR).
HAL’s full LCD Modern Glass Cockpit.
High Accuracy Direction Finding Module (HADF)
IFF-1410A – Identification Friend or Foe (IFF)
Integrated Communication suite INCOM 1210A
Radar Altimeter – RAM-1701
Programmable Signal Processor (PSP)
Multi Function Displays (MFD) – Samtel/DARE
