HAL and BEL's Indigenous IRST System for IAF Su-30MKI Fighters Nears Trials

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Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), two prominent Indian defence companies, are preparing for crucial trials of their jointly developed long-range dual-band infrared search and track (IRST) system for Su-30MKI fighter jets in late 2024. This indigenous IRST system represents a significant stride towards India's self-reliance in critical defence technology for the Indian Air Force (IAF).

The IAF intends to equip 84 of its upgraded Su-30MKI aircraft, designated as Super-30 MKI, with this advanced IRST system. These upgraded jets will undergo a local transformation process under the supervision of HAL. Currently, these aircraft rely on Russian-origin IRSTs, highlighting the importance of this indigenous development.

The project received approval from the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) under the "Make II" category in May 2018. While the initial timeline aimed for induction between 2018 and 2021, the project faced delays.

The IAF has set demanding specifications for the IRST system, including:
  • Long-range IR detection: The system must detect infrared signatures of enemy aircraft at substantial distances.
  • Wide field of view (FoV): A large FoV allows pilots to scan a broader area for potential threats.
  • High-resolution displays: The IRST should provide pilots with clear, high-resolution infrared (IR) and electro-optical (EO) images for precise target identification.
  • Automatic tracking: The system should automatically track air and ground targets, reducing pilot workload.
  • 3D localization: An eye-safe laser rangefinder integrated with the IRST will enable accurate 3D target location.
The successful trials and subsequent induction of this IRST system will significantly enhance the IAF's air combat capabilities and reduce its dependence on foreign suppliers for critical technology.
 
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Shrujanam Syama said:
Why? Even F22 is 1990s tech. F35 is 2000s tech. So what? The airframe is the only thing of 1990s. And FBWs which are part of the airframe has not advanced as they are simple controls. All other advanced features are from LRU, avionics & sensors which are modular and can be changed as per needs. This is why even F16, F15 made in 1970s are still being upgraded. Older planes with no FBW based airframes like Mig21 are obsolete as FBW is a critical element. But any plane with FBW is good enough for upgrades
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F22 is set to be retired in this decade. F35 has not even received FOC and is being upgraded. So the upgrades are badly needed and HAL and DRDO seem incapable of doing it in time.
 
Akshat said:
So the data is classified but you know already that it is superior?
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To know something is superior, do you need to know the classified data? Really interesting observation.

AESA is superior to PESA. Deduction is based on the use of technology. In this case, I noted more than the tech - I referred to the benchmark.
 
Akshat said:
Never ever. India's enemies can keep hoping we waste money on that junk.
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We off-boarded the Su 57 ship and that’s gone. We are not boarding that ship again.

MRFA will see drastic changes, it’s not just the level of ToT, even order size will be staggered. A lot depends on when Tejas Mk2 takes to sky. Wish AMCA could fly in next 3 years - that would change everything.
 
AK S said:
We off-boarded the Su 57 ship and that’s gone. We are not boarding that ship again.

MRFA will see drastic changes, it’s not just the level of ToT, even order size will be staggered. A lot depends on when Tejas Mk2 takes to sky. Wish AMCA could fly in next 3 years - that would change everything.
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The order size is unlikely to be staggered. Ex-CDS had suggested it, but IAF chief went public and confirmed that they will buy the entire 114 lot in one go. As for Mk2, it's not flying anytime soon. Not before MRFA. Even longer for MRFA. Mk2 was supposed to be rolled out by 2014 but has been delayed ever since. So there is no clarity whatsoever in that program and we can confidently say anything only after it happens. IAF can't plan in that manner.
 
AK S said:
To know something is superior, do you need to know the classified data? Really interesting observation.

AESA is superior to PESA. Deduction is based on the use of technology. In this case, I noted more than the tech - I referred to the benchmark.
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Exact opposite. You need to know the data to know something is superior. That data may or may not be classified. You are the one who is claiming that the concerned data is classified.

And we know AESA is superior because there is data to back it up. That data is available in the public domain. Or at least everyone in the world, who can interpret that data, agrees. Who in the world has agreed that Indian IRST is superior to Russian systems? Just saying that it is superior is not enough to make it happen.
 
Akshat said:
In that case MRFA itself would get cancelled. No one will give full 100%. And before that the plane itself has to clear trials, where EF and Rafale will only qualify, with F15 being a possibility as it's a new one. Boeing will never do it, as has been proven in the past. And same for EF. So Rafale anyways has the best chances.
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Already Saab have approached HAL for jv, promising 100% tech transfers by replacing all EU and USA avionics systems displays computers with DRDO-BEL and/or Saab make ones... Saab will 100% win this MRFA tender soon, as USA-India GEF414 deal also getting signed soon! F21 F18SH F15EX SU57 SU35S no chance of getting 100% ToT at all!
 
wallisk said:
Already Saab have approached HAL for jv, promising 100% tech transfers by replacing all EU and USA avionics systems displays computers with DRDO-BEL and/or Saab make ones... Saab will 100% win this MRFA tender soon, as USA-India GEF414 deal also getting signed soon! F21 F18SH F15EX SU57 SU35S no chance of getting 100% ToT at all!
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But they don't have 100% tech. How will they give the engine tech, for example? Saab hasn't won any tender at all in the whole last decade. The Indo-US deal also says only 80% ToT. And then there are many systems which Saab or DRDO can't make. Say, the ejection seat. Only Rafale has a chance at winning.

Oh and moreover, Saab itself is trying to buy 100% share and make the planes on their own.

And after all that, who will pay for the development of new subsystems? There is no such proposal whatsoever.
 
Akshat said:
The order size is unlikely to be staggered. Ex-CDS had suggested it, but IAF chief went public and confirmed that they will buy the entire 114 lot in one go. As for Mk2, it's not flying anytime soon. Not before MRFA. Even longer for MRFA. Mk2 was supposed to be rolled out by 2014 but has been delayed ever since. So there is no clarity whatsoever in that program and we can confidently say anything only after it happens. IAF can't plan in that manner.
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How is Dassault going to make 382 Rafale’s in 5 year’s, which is one of the conditions of MRFA, also 70% TOT, can’t meet the timeline or the TOT so your favorite jet 👎 👋✋
 
Akshat said:
But they don't have 100% tech. How will they give the engine tech, for example? Saab hasn't won any tender at all in the whole last decade. The Indo-US deal also says only 80% ToT. And then there are many systems which Saab or DRDO can't make. Say, the ejection seat. Only Rafale has a chance at winning.

Oh and moreover, Saab itself is trying to buy 100% share and make the planes on their own.

And after all that, who will pay for the development of new subsystems? There is no such proposal whatsoever.
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Rafale also uses same UK MB ejection seats! GEF414 deal is being signed and these same engines are used in Gripen-E. But, if GoI wants they can ban SEF's in MRFA tender citing MK2 program support next also; thereby favouring Dassault lone contendor....
 
PKPRS said:
How is Dassault going to make 382 Rafale’s in 5 year’s, which is one of the conditions of MRFA, also 70% TOT, can’t meet the timeline or the TOT so your favorite jet 👎 👋✋
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MRFA says make 382 Rafale in 5 years? We are going to buy those many jets?

And ToT level is 50%. Which IAF and IN's favorite jet Rafale will meet like a walk in the park.
 
wallisk said:
Rafale also uses same UK MB ejection seats! GEF414 deal is being signed and these same engines are used in Gripen-E. But, if GoI wants they can ban SEF's in MRFA tender citing MK2 program support next also; thereby favouring Dassault lone contendor....
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They don't have to. Gripen failed the trials last time. Only EF and Rafale cleared the trials. Among new planes, only Su35 and F15 are there. Out of these F15 is the only one who can actually clear the trials. And EF and F15 are going to be hugely expensive. If not, we can buy them anyways. So GoI doesn't need to favor anyone but India.
 
wallisk said:
asinine talks... SU30MKI got JAMMED by Porks SEAD planes and could not fire ANY BVRAAM's...
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Yes sir. As u say. BVRAAMs were not fired because su30s were jammed and not because of the distance.
 
Akshat said:
As I said, that's what our enemies like you and Pinky panther hope.
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You didn’t hear the news, my statement not one more than 36 Rafale’s has become true today, this why only real dreams come true not day dreams.
 
wallisk said:
Already Saab have approached HAL for jv, promising 100% tech transfers by replacing all EU and USA avionics systems displays computers with DRDO-BEL and/or Saab make ones... Saab will 100% win this MRFA tender soon, as USA-India GEF414 deal also getting signed soon! F21 F18SH F15EX SU57 SU35S no chance of getting 100% ToT at all!
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Yes most probably, right now they are the only Country who couldn’t able sell their product and deperate, so can extract a lot from them, also the engine GE F414 that we will be making is used only by that jet besides F/A-18 that we won’t be buying, also MAdi made a trip to Italy to get TOT from them for the Avionics, so it is confirmed Frenchie’s are out, everything is coming togeter, if selected they will be making atleast 200.
 
PKPRS said:
You didn’t hear the news, my statement not one more than 36 Rafale’s has become true today, this why only real dreams come true not day dreams.
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Yup. Not one but 114. IAF just can’t have enough of those.
 
Pink Panther said:
You know that right your jet is outrightly rejected by the GOI.
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Please show the proof that IAF’s fav jet is rejected.
IAF's favorite jet hasn't been rejected bro. In fact today GoI has selected Rafale practically.
 
PKPRS said:
Yes most probably, right now they are the only Country who couldn’t able sell their product and deperate, so can extract a lot from them, also the engine GE F414 that we will be making is used only by that jet besides F/A-18 that we won’t be buying, also MAdi made a trip to Italy to get TOT from them for the Avionics, so it is confirmed Frenchie’s are out, everything is coming togeter, if selected they will be making atleast 200.
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Only in the dreams of anti Indians
 
Akshat said:
They don't have to. Gripen failed the trials last time. Only EF and Rafale cleared the trials. Among new planes, only Su35 and F15 are there. Out of these F15 is the only one who can actually clear the trials. And EF and F15 are going to be hugely expensive. If not, we can buy them anyways. So GoI doesn't need to favor anyone but India.
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Can you tell the reason why only F 15 can clear the trails and not SU 35
 

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