The Indian Air Force commenced the induction of Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jets nearly more than two decades ago and now intends to prolong the operational lifespan of these Russian-made combat aircraft by 20 years.
Currently, the Indian Air Force has incorporated 272 Su-30 MKI fighter aircraft into its fleet, and these twin-engine planes are expected to serve as the backbone of the force for the next 15-20 years.
According to defense officials, the Indian Air Force is actively exploring options to extend the service life of these fighter jets by an additional 20 years or more. To achieve this, the Indian Air Force conducts rigorous testing on the airframe and other components of the aircraft, drawing from previous experiences in this domain.
By extending the service life, the Indian Air Force aims to maintain its fleet of powerful Su-30s until approximately 2045-2050. Furthermore, the Indian Air Force is focused on enhancing the capabilities of these aircraft by incorporating significant upgrades in terms of indigenous advanced radars, avionics, and weapon systems.
The force is currently working on upgrading its fleet of Sukhoi-30 MKI fighters with indigenous weapon systems and a radar system called Virupaaksha. Government sources have revealed that the Virupaaksha radar is being developed domestically, taking into account the specific requirements of the Indian Air Force across various sectors. It is expected to be the most advanced radar among all the Sukhoi-30 variants used worldwide.
In addition, the Indian Air Force has embarked on a mission to indigenize its inventory of equipment and plans to procure equipment worth over Rs three lakh crore from Indian firms in the near future.
The Su-30MKI is a versatile air dominance fighter capable of carrying a wide range of weapons, including the Astra Mk-1 long-range air-to-air missile, Brahmos Air Launched missile, and various types of bombs.