HAL Revives Nashik Plant to Fulfill 12 Su-30MKI Order worth $1.3 Billion, Seeks Additional 72 Order with “Super-30” Upgrade

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is reactivating its Nashik plant to fulfill a $1.3 billion order for 12 Su-30MKI fighter jets. This move comes as the Indian Air Force (IAF) seeks to replenish its fleet and strengthen domestic aircraft production.

The Nashik facility, once a dedicated Su-30MKI production site, will now play a crucial role in delivering these essential aircraft, bolstering India's air capabilities.

Beyond this immediate order, HAL is proposing an ambitious plan to the IAF for an additional 72 Su-30MKI fighters. If approved, this would expand the IAF's Su-30MKI fleet to over 344 aircraft, adding four new squadrons by 2029-30.

This potential $5 billion deal reflects HAL's commitment to modernizing the IAF with advanced indigenous technology. However, budgetary constraints may pose a challenge to the proposal's approval.

HAL's offer for the 72 fighters includes a comprehensive "Super-30" upgrade package, designed to enhance the Su-30MKI's combat effectiveness for modern warfare. Key elements of this upgrade include:

• Indigenous AESA Radar: Integration of an Indian-developed active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar to improve detection range, accuracy, and jamming resistance.
• Upgraded Avionics and Indian Systems: Incorporating advanced avionics, mission computers, and navigation systems sourced from within India.
• Indigenous Weapons Integration: Ensuring compatibility with a wide array of Indian-made weapon systems, including missiles and precision-guided munitions.

HAL's Nashik plant has been producing the Su-30MKI under license from Russia's United Aircraft Corporation, with each aircraft costing approximately $70.3 million. The current order of 12 aircraft is expected to be completed within the next three years.

If the IAF approves the additional 72 units, HAL is confident in its ability to deliver them within six years, by 2029-30. This would significantly enhance the IAF's operational strength, bringing the total number of Su-30MKI squadrons to 34.

 

[sanket]

Good, IAF need to show interest this will sort term stop gap arrangement as MRFA will take another 5 years to deliver first fighter jet. Second, GE making delay in engine delivery so it's wise to have another 72 Super Sukhoi. IAF is having 260 Su-30 MKI, 12 are on order that makes 272. This translates into 15 sqad strength of Su-30 MKI. Delivery of GE-404 Engine is likely to miss November 2024 deadline too. Delivering 72 Su-30 MKI by 2030 that means within 6 years as compared to Dassault who delivered 36 Rafales after 65 months. If IAF agree to HAL offer for additional 72 Su-30 MKI then it's just formality that under MRFA Rafale will be manufactured in Bharat with local eco-system. Su-30MKI being in heavy category only option will left is twin engine medium fighter jet. Bharat already have plans for light category fighter jets building indigenously Tejas MK1A & Tejas MK2.

 

[bonito]

Thanks GE and US. We are pushed back to rely on Russia. OTH get the Tejas project out of HAL.

 

[Rinku Pandey]

Good going for 12 su30s, but where is the money for additional 72? When a country spends around $20 billion (Rs 1.9 lakh crore) on free ration to 80cr Indians and another $8 billion on free Rs 6000 to 12cr farmers, where will the money for defence come from?

 

[Anant]

Considering the fact that the last non-SFC Su-30MKIs we ordered as part of the initial fleet of 272 aircraft cost us just north of 40 million USD apiece, this figure of 5 billion USD for 72 more jets is overly optimistic. That cost of 40 million USD was for only the jet, and dates back to 2007.

Factoring in inflation, and going by today's exchange rate of the INR vs the RUB, this comes to just north of 80 million USD apiece. For 72 jets, therfore, that comes to just over 5.74 billion USD.

However, gauging by the clearance for the 12 Su-30MKIs accorded last year, the price was 1.4 billion USD for 12 aircraft, which comes to 116.67 million USD each.

However, that number would be true if we were only manufacturing more Su-30MKIs on an existing production line. While the production line and most of the tooling is still available, some of it has been repurposed. However, a larger order also gives us more savings. Hence, factoring in 2023-24 inflation numbers and assuming a 10% cost saving on a large order, this comes to 112.21 million USD each, or about 8.08 billion USD for 72 jets.

Of course, this is the price for baseline Su-30MKIs. Taking a 15% cost escalation for the upgrades (considering the Super Sukhoi upgrade bill and factoring in savings since a lot of Russian equipment will not be fitted), the final figure comes to 129 million USD each, or a total of just shy of 9.3 billion USD for 72 jets, not 5 billion USD.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

We will have many 4th gen jets in next decade what we lag is 5th gen jets. Get few squadrons of SU57s with India specific changes.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Increase production lines in Bangalore, Nashik and may be Lucknow.

 

[sanket]

HAL & IAF should also consider AL-31FN with series 3 variant which is derivative of AL-51 Engine for Super Sukhoi upgrade. Not only 72+12 Su-30MKI but for all 260 Su-30 MKI. I still believe that Bharat should buy 3 squadrons of Su-57 & borrow some tech/features/weapons from that for Super Sukhoi by the time AMCA platform matures, with Virupaksha GaN based AESA Radar with 1800 to 2400 TRM. Super Sukhoi will be Mini-AWACS with a combination of Tejas MK1A as AI it will be a very potent combination in Future, with Virupaksha getting Range over 400 KM Tejas MK1A can perform missions with Super Sukhoi having Low RCS.

 

[War is good for business]

Good going for 12 su30s, but where is the money for additional 72? When a country spends around $20 billion (Rs 1.9 lakh crore) on free ration to 80cr Indians and another $8 billion on free Rs 6000 to 12cr farmers, where will the money for defence come from?

It won't come from there. Defence spending increases with a growing economy not by withdrawing money from social services.

 

[War is good for business]

Considering the fact that the last non-SFC Su-30MKIs we ordered as part of the initial fleet of 272 aircraft cost us just north of 40 million USD apiece, this figure of 5 billion USD for 72 more jets is overly optimistic. That cost of 40 million USD was for only the jet, and dates back to 2007.

Still it remans cheaper than MRFA and squadron strength can be maintained, for now at least.

 

[Hey]

Considering the fact that the last non-SFC Su-30MKIs we ordered as part of the initial fleet of 272 aircraft cost us just north of 40 million USD apiece, this figure of 5 billion USD for 72 more jets is overly optimistic. That cost of 40 million USD was for only the jet, and dates back to 2007.

Factoring in inflation, and going by today's exchange rate of the INR vs the RUB, this comes to just north of 80 million USD apiece. For 72 jets, therfore, that comes to just over 5.74 billion USD.

However, gauging by the clearance for the 12 Su-30MKIs accorded last year, the price was 1.4 billion USD for 12 aircraft, which comes to 116.67 million USD each.

However, that number would be true if we were only manufacturing more Su-30MKIs on an existing production line. While the production line and most of the tooling is still available, some of it has been repurposed. However, a larger order also gives us more savings. Hence, factoring in 2023-24 inflation numbers and assuming a 10% cost saving on a large order, this comes to 112.21 million USD each, or about 8.08 billion USD for 72 jets.

Of course, this is the price for baseline Su-30MKIs. Taking a 15% cost escalation for the upgrades (considering the Super Sukhoi upgrade bill and factoring in savings since a lot of Russian equipment will not be fitted), the final figure comes to 129 million USD each, or a total of just shy of 9.3 billion USD for 72 jets, not 5 billion USD.

Yeah, the math wasn't mathing..

Still 10 billions for a 72 jets with GaN systems, fully Indigenous weapons & Avionics is better than throwing 10 billions for 40-45 Jets under MRFA.

 

[Hey]

We will have many 4th gen jets in next decade what we lag is 5th gen jets. Get few squadrons of SU57s with India specific changes.

Even if we order few units today, it won't come before 2027-28 because their line is also packed for the delivery of Su-57 to Russian Airforce.

A lot will depend on Trump

 

[R. Singh]

Apart from Indian AESA radar if India convince France to integrate MBDA made Meteor ,Scalp/Storm shadow missiles on Indian Super Su-30MKI , it will boost IAF firepower !

 

[मित्र]

Su-30MKI being in heavy category only option will left is twin engine medium fighter jet. Bharat already have plans for light category fighter jets building indigenously Tejas MK1A & Tejas MK2.

Tejas MK2 is supposed to be of medium category. Plus we can plan for AF variant of TEDBF.
We should scrap MRFA and invest this money in additional Super 30, MK1A, TEDBF AF, MK2.

 

[Akshat]

Tejas MK2 is supposed to be of medium category. Plus we can plan for AF variant of TEDBF.
We should scrap MRFA and invest this money in additional Super 30, MK1A, TEDBF AF, MK2.

Tejas mk2 is an LCA. Its official designation is LCA AF mk2.

 

[Anant]

Yeah, the math wasn't mathing..

Still 10 billions for a 72 jets with GaN systems, fully Indigenous weapons & Avionics is better than throwing 10 billions for 40-45 Jets under MRFA.

Sir, one thing I will point out is that when you consider MRFA, or the Rafale purchase for that matter, the cost includes spares, weapons, training, infrastructure, etc. All of that isn't included in the Su-30MKI purchase.

That said, you do make a good point. However, let's leave it to the IAF to decide which jet they feel would be optimal.

 

[Akshat]

Still it remans cheaper than MRFA and squadron strength can be maintained, for now at least.

Please do the math. The current deal puts the price at 110 million usd for the pane alone. Compare that to the cost of Rafale, which came at a barebones cost of about 93 million USD. And on top of that it came with stuff like AESA radar and all.

 

[Akshat]

We will have many 4th gen jets in next decade what we lag is 5th gen jets. Get few squadrons of SU57s with India specific changes.

We don’t need junk that no one else wants. We are not a junkyard.

 

[Dr]

India should go for 72 supper Sukhoi & additionally try to get 2/3 squadron of S57 5th generation aircraft from Russia as 5th generation aircrafts are needed till we keep our own 5.5 generation aircraft project ongoing & also S57 will help our 5.5 generation project all this should be done instead of our MRF project which will be very costly

 

[Dr]

Sir, one thing I will point out is that when you consider MRFA, or the Rafale purchase for that matter, the cost includes spares, weapons, training, infrastructure, etc. All of that isn't included in the Su-30MKI purchase.

That said, you do make a good point. However, let's leave it to the IAF to decide which jet they feel would be optimal.

That's because we already have infrastructure for these jets & this 72 jets will be supper Sukhoi which is upgradation of today's inventory & seeing Rafael aircrafts pending orders I don't think first aircraft will come atleast 4 years after order signed

 

[Instant Karma]

Please do the math. The current deal puts the price at 110 million usd for the pane alone. Compare that to the cost of Rafale, which came at a barebones cost of about 93 million USD. And on top of that it came with stuff like AESA radar and all.

That is wrong. Rafale fighters costs 250 million dollars each.

 

[Anurag]

HAL & IAF should also consider AL-31FN with series 3 variant which is derivative of AL-51 Engine for Super Sukhoi upgrade. Not only 72+12 Su-30MKI but for all 260 Su-30 MKI. I still believe that Bharat should buy 3 squadrons of Su-57 & borrow some tech/features/weapons from that for Super Sukhoi by the time AMCA platform matures, with Virupaksha GaN based AESA Radar with 1800 to 2400 TRM. Super Sukhoi will be Mini-AWACS with a combination of Tejas MK1A as AI it will be a very potent combination in Future, with Virupaksha getting Range over 400 KM Tejas MK1A can perform missions with Super Sukhoi having Low RCS.

Agree at most of the points apart from acquiring SU-57. It will be far better and a good decision that we go with this additional Su-30mki for now as our squadron strength is getting really low! MRFA is delayed and we may get the first plane not before 2030, so it's better to go with this!

I really wish that IAF consider Al31 fn engine series 5 developed for the J-10 as it is almost a similar engine with the current Al31 family with some new technology and better engine life!

P.s. I really don't think this deal will see the day of the light as due to the Russia-Ukraine war. Russia may not be able to supply the knocked-down kits and we also don't want any further transactions with Russia related to defense for now!

 

[Andy]

Good idea to counter fleet depletion. But MOD needs to take quick decisions. Also, can HAL manage this, Tejas, 80 SS upgrade all together??

 

[P2S2]

Mention of Food rations shows pettiness minimum politics at worst. Efficiency in generating money isn't a problem for those with a will. 72 seems to be some required number. Agreed. Jumping in earlier into indigenous production of Su57 would lead into leadership of creating 75 switching mentality into 6th generation technologies. Lagging engine manufacturing would be forced to evolve. Production numbers can be increased by innovative marketing in this desperate environment.

 

[Akhil]

Thanks GE and US. We are pushed back to rely on Russia. OTH get the Tejas project out of HAL.

Yes, a private company would have manufactured engines out of thin air after US delays. They have the power of ✨love and imagination✨ with them. I have always said TASL, Adani, etc are better than Lockheed, etc.

 

[War is good for business]

Please do the math. The current deal puts the price at 110 million usd for the pane alone. Compare that to the cost of Rafale, which came at a barebones cost of about 93 million USD. And on top of that it came with stuff like AESA radar and all.

Yeah but we are not going to buy a bare bone Rafale right? Our cost even conservatively will come to $130-150 million. The new Sukhois will obviously come in the planned Super Sukhoi configuration, which will be superior to Rafale. Though on maintenance we will save on the Rafale.

 

[Anant]

That's because we already have infrastructure for these jets & this 72 jets will be supper Sukhoi which is upgradation of today's inventory & seeing Rafael aircrafts pending orders I don't think first aircraft will come atleast 4 years after order signed

Sir, any deliveries of critical parts from Russia will also not happen for a fair while even if we place orders today. Russia will prioritise their Su-35 production before us.

 

[Akshat]

Yeah but we are not going to buy a bare bone Rafale right? Our cost even conservatively will come to $130-150 million. The new Sukhois will obviously come in the planned Super Sukhoi configuration, which will be superior to Rafale. Though on maintenance we will save on the Rafale.

We won’t be buying barebones Su30 either, would we? These 12 are replacement for jets lost in accidents so these 12 are coming barebones as the infra, weapons etc. exist. So if Su30 is more costly at the barebones level, there is no reason to believe that the cost for full package will be any less either.

And the new Su30 (these 12) won’t come in the super Sukhoi configuration. The cost mentioned here is for the original Su30mki configuration. The cost for Super Sukhoi will be on top of what we are paying here, and that cost is supposed to be an extra 80 million usd per jet. So you can do the math.

 

[Akshat]

That is wrong. Rafale fighters costs 250 million dollars each.

I am giving the barebones cost. The Su30 mki mentioned here are barebones.

And UAE is getting them all loaded for 210 million usd and Indonesia for less than 200 million USD. So they don’t cost 250 million USD anymore.

 

[Benith Israel]

MRFA is delayed and we may get the first plane not before 2030, so it's better to go with this!

I agree. Just 90 more su 30 mki is good enough to cover mrfa delays.