Moscow: A Russian defense industry delegation will soon visit India to take forward the long-standing talks to upgrade the Sukhoi-30MKI fleet of the Indian Air Force (IAF). This proposed upgrade would include improved radar, a more powerful weapons package, a new cockpit system and integration of electronic warfare capabilities.
Russia also expects India to go ahead with plans to order an additional 12 Sukhoi-30 MKIs to replace the fighters that have crashed over the years. In addition, Moscow is expected to finalize contracts for 21 more MiG-29s, aimed at bolstering the strength of the IAF’s dwindling fleet.
While the French-made Rafale is at the forefront of a mega contract for 114 new fighter jets that the IAF is looking at, Russia believes it is the only country to have genuine technology with over 60 per cent Indian content. Transfer (TOT) is able to offer.
The IAF is contemplating the acquisition of 114 fighter jets through the Make in India route.
“We have offered our vision of the Upgrade Program (Su-30MKI) several times. This is an ongoing discussion and we have put our entire proposal on the table. “We plan to visit India in the near future and have a fruitful discussion on that proposal,” Yuri Slisar, CEO of United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) of Russia, said in response to a question from ThePrint at ARMY-2022. Here in Moscow.
UAC, a public joint-stock company owned by the Russian government, is the largest manufacturer of aircraft in the country. In June, the major Russian manufacturers, Sukhoi and MiG airlines, were merged into UAC.
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super sukhoi
New Delhi and Moscow are in talks with each other about the upgrade of the Su-30 MKI, which India first ordered in 1996. The upgraded aircraft, if the proposal is approved, will be known as Super Sukhoi.
The IAF has over 160 Su-30 MKIs in its fleet, but talks about the upgrade are stuck due to various issues – cost being the most basic and important factor. air force plan Will also buy 114 new fighter aircraft in a limited budget.
While the exact number is not known, IAF sources have told that the asking price for the upgrade is very high as it would involve a complete revamp and not just a simple extension of life.
While the Sukhoi-30MKI is a front-line fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force, it is beset with several issues, among them the inability to carry out electronic warfare and the lack of a more powerful weapon system. The integration of around 40 Sukhois with BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles – which have a range of over 300 kms – has, however, been a saving grace.
As part of the proposed upgrade, the fighter jet’s N011 Bars passive radar will be replaced with ‘Uttam’, India’s own Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar.
The MKI variant is the oldest member of the Su-30 family, which includes the Malaysian Su-30 MKM (2007 model) and the Russian Su-30 SM (2011 model).
It is hoped that the upgrade will bring the MKI on par with the Russian SM, armed with a number of long-range missiles and smart bombs developed as part of the 2011–2020 state armament program for Russia’s Su-30 SM. have been done.
‘MiG is the only plane that can actually offer TOT’
UAC chief Slisar said talks are also underway between India and Russia for the IAF’s 114 fighter jet program, adding that MiGs are the only aircraft that can actually offer ToT with 60 per cent indigenous material .
He was referring to the MiG-35, which Russia is keen to give to India.
When asked about a possible collaboration with New Delhi – given India’s plan to develop its fifth generation fighter aircraft called the AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft) – the top Russian aviation official said that although there is no one on that front. There is no news, Moscow is ready to cooperate if New Delhi wants.
Asked about pending orders for 12 Sukhoi-30 MKIs and 21 MiG-29s, Slisar said India is looking into it.
ThePrint has previously informed of On the Indian Air Force’s plan to purchase additional MiG-29s in 2019. Of the older aircraft from the 1980s, the jets are no longer in production, but 21 airframes manufactured then remain in Russia.
The jets procured by India will be upgraded to the latest version before delivery.
This reporter is in Russia as a guest of United Aircraft Corporation.
(Edited by Amritansh Arora)
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