DRDO Plans Su-30MKI 'Heavy Strike Mode' Armed with 4 RudraM-III Hypersonic Missiles for SEAD and Deep Penetration Strikes

India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) recently highlighted a potential future capability for the Indian Air Force's Su-30 MKI fighter jets.

A graphic displayed during an event showed a concept where a single Su-30 MKI aircraft was configured in a 'Heavy Strike Mode', carrying four RudraM-III air-launched missiles, with two mounted under each wing. This configuration suggests a significant enhancement of the aircraft's strike potential.

The RudraM-III missile is being developed by the DRDO's Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), located in Hyderabad. Its primary purpose is to target and destroy well-protected enemy assets. These targets include radar stations, command bunkers, fortified buildings, aircraft shelters, and other vital military infrastructure deep within enemy territory.

Forming part of the indigenous Rudram series of air-to-surface weapons, the RudraM-III is specifically designed for Suppression of Enemy Air Defences (SEAD) missions and direct ground attacks.

It represents an advancement over earlier missiles in the series, such as the RudraM-I (an anti-radiation missile with a 200 km range) and the RudraM-II (expected to have a range around 300 km). The RudraM-III aims for a considerably longer reach, reportedly between 550 and 600 kilometres, and carries a substantial 200 kg warhead for increased destructive power.

To ensure accuracy and effectiveness, the RudraM-III is expected to incorporate sophisticated navigation and guidance technology. This includes an Inertial Navigation System (INS) combined with GPS updates, and potentially an Imaging Infrared (IIR) seeker for precise targeting during the final phase of its flight. The missile features 16 control fins (eight mid-body and eight at the tail) designed for high agility.

Powered by a dual-pulsed solid rocket motor, it is engineered to achieve hypersonic speeds (estimated above Mach 5) and fly a difficult-to-intercept semi-ballistic path.

The RudraM-III is being developed in two main variants: one equipped to home in on enemy radar signals (anti-radiation) and another fitted with a Penetration-Cum-Blast (PCB) warhead designed to penetrate hardened structures before detonating.

Integrating four RudraM-III missiles transforms the Su-30 MKI into a formidable platform for deep penetration strikes, allowing it to engage multiple high-priority targets during one mission.

The aircraft's inherent long combat radius, which exceeds 1,500 km and can be extended further with in-flight refuelling, combined with the RudraM-III's 550-600 km range, would permit pilots to launch attacks from well outside the engagement range of many current surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems.

This 'Heavy Strike Mode' concept points towards a strategy of employing saturation attacks, potentially overwhelming sophisticated, layered enemy air defence networks by engaging multiple targets simultaneously.

 

[R. Singh]

Super Su-30MKI upgrade must include new hybrid of Al-41 & Al-51 engine allowing Su-30 to attain Mac 2.5 speed and super cruise at all levels and reduced RCS !

 

[sanket]

Four Rudram to carry by Su-30 MKI. After Super Sukhoi upgrade, Su-30 MKI will be miles ahead compared to Rafale with GaN-based AESA Radar plus Rudram series GANDIV Missile, Brahmos-NG, Nirbhay Air Launch, NASM-MR, SPICE bomb plus indigenously developed SAAW. Gaurav Gautham, it will outmatch Rafale weapon package with outdated Exocet and lack of anti-radiation weapon for Rafale, while GANDIV will outclass Meteor. Brahmos-NG and Nirbhay will have an upper edge with subsonic and supersonic speed category, with the enemy having a choice of their own.

 

[kumar]

Tejas Mk1A should also be able to handle a minimum of one Rudram Mk3 comfortably. If it can carry more than one, then it is better for SEAD mission.

 

[Leo red]

Cool. Just think of 6 SU-30 firing 24 of these missiles from different directions against Pakistani AWACS. Game over.

 

[neil]

Cool. Just think of 6 SU-30 firing 24 of these missiles from different directions against Pakistani AWACS. Game over.

Rudram-3 is for ground attack. AWACS cannot be attacked with this unless the AWACS aircraft is targeted while it is parked at an airfield.

 

[Mc Addy]

Talking sense now, so modify , test and secure aircrafts for real needs as Europe and Russia are almost there for war and US has pulled out of the slugfest so defence system from east and west will not be there ,so conserve resources .

 

[Chandrakanth Shetty]

Firing a Rudram at 550 kms also requires at least 50 aircraft to be in a joint strike. Otherwise, China with its massive number of aircraft deploys hundreds of aircraft to counter our air force.

 

[Mc Addy]

Even yemen got hypersonic missiles that get shot down so nothing great actually but anyways this will definitely skew offensive ops of enemy , and push back assets futher so it doesn't have fear factor as needed anymore but can be matter of thought.

 

[Aayush Pratap]

It's time to upgrade the Su-30 powerplant. AL-31FP just won't cut it with the impending upgrades.

 

[Sandeep]

This is a brilliant achievement and it increases our firepower. We still need to complete developing the Rudram MK1, MK2 and MK3 missiles that make it ideal for anti radiation missions and a standard air to surface missile test. We all need them to pass all of its tests and trials from there.

 

[SK]

This is good news, but at the same time, the Indian Govt & Military must consider developing Glide-bomb Kits like Russia's UMPK to have low-cost solutions.

 

[Bhishma]

500-600 km ground attack is fantastic. Pretty much covers the whole of Pak and more importantly Tibet. From within our airspace, we can attack any ground target in Tibet. It will enable us to establish rapid dominance. During war, we can cut off Tibet from the mainland, take out their ADs and other rocket launchpads, which will then enable us to rapidly airdrop troops and Zorawars.

 

[Bhishma]

Cool. Just think of 6 SU-30 firing 24 of these missiles from different directions against Pakistani AWACS. Game over.

Pakistani AWACS game over already with Gandiva.

 

[Sridhar]

Four Rudram to carry by Su-30 MKI. After Super Sukhoi upgrade, Su-30 MKI will be miles ahead compared to Rafale with GaN-based AESA Radar plus Rudram series GANDIV Missile, Brahmos-NG, Nirbhay Air Launch, NASM-MR, SPICE bomb plus indigenously developed SAAW. Gaurav Gautham, it will outmatch Rafale weapon package with outdated Exocet and lack of anti-radiation weapon for Rafale, while GANDIV will outclass Meteor. Brahmos-NG and Nirbhay will have an upper edge with subsonic and supersonic speed category, with the enemy having a choice of their own.

Please stop comparing Su-30MKI with Rafale. The former belongs to the heavy fighter category and the latter comes under the medium-weight category.

Su-30MKI as a heavyweight fighter will have powerful engines, more range, and can carry more weapons. It doesn't require rocket science to figure this out.

 

[Leo red]

Rudram-3 is for ground attack. AWACS cannot be attacked with this unless the AWACS aircraft is targeted while it is parked at an airfield.

Maybe as AWACS radiation is very high, but the primary target of the air force should be to eliminate all Pak AWACS once war starts. Use Astra, Akash, S-400, anything, and just kill them. Then air force boys will have a free hand.

 

[Leo red]

Air Force should find a solution to load this type of missiles, including Astra or even BrahMos, in transport planes like Airbus or C-130, or even trainer or patrol aircraft. Think of it: while Su-30 or Tejas etc. are fighting by crossing the border, these planes can target enemies without even going closer to the borders. This will multiply the Air Force's power, as they already have hundreds of transport aircraft for logistics. The war scenario will be completely changed.