HAL's Nashik Plant Set to Roar Back to Life with Su-30MKI Production Boost

India's aerospace giant, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), is gearing up to restart production of the formidable Su-30MKI fighter jet at its Nashik facility, a move that promises to significantly bolster the Indian Air Force's (IAF) combat capabilities. This comes in response to the IAF's tender for 12 new Su-30MKIs, issued to HAL in September 2023, aiming to replace aircraft lost in previous incidents and strengthen the dwindling fleet.

The deal signifies a continued partnership with Russia in the Su-30MKI program, with Russia's Sukhoi aircraft corporation expected to provide HAL with the essential raw materials and subsystems for manufacturing the new jets. This collaboration highlights the enduring defense ties between India and Russia.

The IAF is currently operating with a mere 31 fighter squadrons, well below the recommended strength. Additionally, three squadrons of aging MiG-21 Bison jets are on the verge of retirement. The 12 new Su-30MKIs aim to fill this significant gap in the IAF's combat capabilities.

Interestingly, HAL's Nashik plant is currently undergoing a transformation to produce the indigenous LCA-Tejas Mk1A fighter jets. However, with the finalization of the Su-30MKI deal, this facility is expected to pivot back to manufacturing these heavyweight fighters by the end of 2025.

This move not only reinforces the IAF's combat capabilities but also showcases India's commitment to modernizing its air force. By boosting both domestic production (LCA-Tejas Mk1A) and international collaboration (Su-30MKI), India is strategically positioning itself to maintain its edge in the region's ever-evolving defense landscape.

According to open-source information, the deal for the 12 new Su-30MKIs is estimated to be worth around $1.5 billion. The new jets are expected to be equipped with upgraded avionics and weapons systems. HAL is also reportedly in talks with Russia to upgrade the existing fleet of Su-30MKIs in the IAF's inventory.

 

[sanket]

Lots of Time have been wasted to induct this 12 Su-30 MKI.going at snail pace.India should have also gone for 21 MIG-29.

 

[Parthasarathi DasGupta]

It's very disheartening, that even after knowing that 12 MKI order will be coming, HAL hasn't done anything to facilitate the production. Now wait for few years to get the first one. HAL management is just incompetent. Government should post retired experienced Ex IAF personnel at top management.

 

[Ranjeet Singh]

We need not only 12 Su-30 we require at least 80 more Super Su-30MKI and 80+ F-15EX-II to supplement Su-30 fighters !

 

[dhiraj Raja]

As per IAF 1 squadron= to 18 aircrafts if these calculation is taken into consideration than IAF has 15 squadron of Sukhoi alone as there are 270 aircrafts =15 squadrons taking all aircrafts into account than it should be certainly more than 31 squadrons unless & untill they don't count trainers which also can be used as attacking aircrafts during war time

 

[Aravind Raveendran]

This is the height of incompetence and bad planning . We could have saved years has we any sort of foresight. And since we are in shortage why only 12 ? Could have inducted 48 supersukhoi. ( An additional 2 or 3 squadrons )

 

[Agent Provocateur1]

Each of these SU30 assembled by HAL costs us Rupees 100 Crore more then buying it directly from Russia.
The Russian Fan lobby in India has caused massive loss to us with their nonsensical obsession with buying only from Russia.

 

[NSR]

India must not forget to order 21 Mig-29UPG bodies from Russia too and to be engined with local RD-33MKs and Indian avionics and armaments at IAF BRDs.
Cheapest and quickest way to get extra 1.25 Squadrons of Mig-29UPGs to defend the skies.

Furthermore, Russian Airforce updated most of their older short and long range BVRAAM missiles.
We do not know their effectiveness, but they can surely help India against two enemies raring to go to war.

Better be prepared than be sorry.

 

[Anant]

We need not only 12 Su-30 we require at least 80 more Super Su-30MKI and 80+ F-15EX-II to supplement Su-30 fighters !

Why on Earth would you want two different types of heavy fighters? Not to mention that going for just 80 aircraft of a type is just setting up for a spares issue like the Mirage 2000 faces today.

 

[War is good for business]

It's very disheartening, that even after knowing that 12 MKI order will be coming, HAL hasn't done anything to facilitate the production. Now wait for few years to get the first one. HAL management is just incompetent. Government should post retired experienced Ex IAF personnel at top management.

And if the order didn't materialise due to the ongoing war you would have criticised them for wasting money.

 

[Anant]

As per IAF 1 squadron= to 18 aircrafts if these calculation is taken into consideration than IAF has 15 squadron of Sukhoi alone as there are 270 aircrafts =15 squadrons taking all aircrafts into account than it should be certainly more than 31 squadrons unless & untill they don't count trainers which also can be used as attacking aircrafts during war time

Doesn't work that way. 18 aircraft makes up 1 squadron, but you can't just find the number of squadrons by simple division. There are attrition replacements and trainers that you have to deduct.

For instance, we presently have 260 Su-30MKIs out of the 272 we procured. 12 have been lost in accidents, and this order of 12 will recoup these. However, while on paper, this would suggest 15 squadrons, the actual number of combat squadrons is 13, not 15. The remaining aircraft are mostly trainers. Now, these trainers can be used for combat operations if need be, but the normal strength doesn't include them.

As such, we have 30 squadrons presently, of which 2 MiG-21 squadrons will retire by next year. If you wanted to add everything to squadron numbers, we would be sitting at some 35-36 squadrons today. However, conversion trainers are not counted among combat aircraft during peacetime.

 

[Anant]

And if the order didn't materialise due to the ongoing war you would have criticised them for wasting money.

True, but you have to consider the fact that the approval from the DAC and from Russia's side was obtained while the war was on. Hence, it was almost an eventuality.

That said, I kind of understand where HAL is coming from in this.

 

[Raja Raja Cholan]

Lots of Time have been wasted to induct this 12 Su-30 MKI.going at snail pace.India should have also gone for 21 MIG-29.

Indian government bureaucracy is notorious for it's casual approach to urgent defence requirements. The same goes to FDI investors have to go horrendous delay in processing of their paperwork. Anyways I have been reading anxiously about the previous RFI for MRFA and then the evaluation stages for many years. But ended up with small numbers of Rafael fighters. Maybe due cost factors ok fine but negotiate for progressive purchase. Our immediate adversary china is progressing by leaps and bound. If there is a surprise attack by china just like 1962 our armed forces will be stretched out thin. I strongly believe that 114 MRFA is a very crucial necessity for the IAF.

 

[RalphRearden]

Each of these SU30 assembled by HAL costs us Rupees 100 Crore more then buying it directly from Russia.
The Russian Fan lobby in India has caused massive loss to us with their nonsensical obsession with buying only from Russia.

No and Yes.
The extra costs would have been put to good use if these HAL babus would have learnt something besides screwdriving...they just tight nuts and bolts....like the mechanics of a garage...if this was a private player, they would have learnt every bit and piece to benefit all future upgrades.....taken learnings from Al-31 engines into KAveri, design into LCA (it still is no where near Su-30 in terms of flight envelope), bits and pieces from landing gear design, computer placements, etc..........these HAL guys are good for nothing loosers....any other pvt company would have become the defacto spare parts manufacturer for the entire Su fleet for the all other operators in the world, including Russia during Ukraine war shortages

 

[Sandeep]

India should of bought another 1-2 squadron of Sukhoi jets because it will increase our air power, fire power and boost the Air Force numbers which are low. This would give our Tejas MK1A and MK2 jets the time to develop properly and start production in large numbers. We also need to upgrade our current fighter jets as we need to keep them in service for another decade or more so the technology has to improve.

 

[RG]

So essentially India cannot produce Su30-MKI even with all the TOT that is suppose to be acquired even after purchasing close to 300 planes.

 

[Taus Melek]

How is this a significant boost to IAF if the 12 aircraft are replacing ones lost or damaged in service!

 

[Rajesh]

It would be better if we add some nos of used fighter jet already with iaf like mirage 2000 or mig 29 3-5 squadron.

 

[NSR]

No and Yes.
The extra costs would have been put to good use if these HAL babus would have learnt something besides screwdriving...they just tight nuts and bolts....like the mechanics of a garage...if this was a private player, they would have learnt every bit and piece to benefit all future upgrades.....taken learnings from Al-31 engines into KAveri, design into LCA (it still is no where near Su-30 in terms of flight envelope), bits and pieces from landing gear design, computer placements, etc..........these HAL guys are good for nothing loosers....any other pvt company would have become the defacto spare parts manufacturer for the entire Su fleet for the all other operators in the world, including Russia during Ukraine war shortages

Sad thing is Putin is so controlling about Indian arms trade that he wanted India to buy even simple tires and batteries from Russia and GoI and MoD and IAF has no other choices.
Blame the Indian arms acquisition and production system.

 

[Pink Panther]

Lots of Time have been wasted to induct this 12 Su-30 MKI.going at snail pace.India should have also gone for 21 MIG-29.

Wish they install izdeliye 30 engines on them during upgrade.