IAF Explores ASRAAM Integration for Su-30MKI Fleet

The Indian Air Force (IAF) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) are in advanced discussions to integrate the Advanced Short-Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM) onto the Su-30MKI fighter jet fleet. This initiative, aimed at bolstering the aircraft's close-combat capabilities, comes five years after the initial integration plans were approved.

The ASRAAM, a Within Visual Range (WVR) missile, is designed to give the Su-30MKI a decisive advantage in dogfights. Its integration aligns with the IAF's strategy to standardize the ASRAAM across its fighter jets, with ongoing integration efforts already underway for the Jaguar DARIN-III and LCA Tejas Mk1A.

Weighing 88kg, the ASRAAM can be guided by the aircraft's onboard sensors, including radar and helmet-mounted sights. However, its autonomous infrared search and track system may require support from the European developer MBDA, posing a potential challenge due to the ongoing arms embargo on Russia in light of the Ukraine conflict. Integrating European weaponry onto Russian platforms like the Su-30MKI could mean a complete lack of support from MBDA for this critical system.

Despite this potential hurdle, two Su-30MKIs are currently undergoing trial integration with ASRAAMs. If successful, the IAF intends to equip its entire Su-30MKI fleet with the missile in a phased manner.

Disclaimer: This news article is based on the information provided and available open-source data. The outcome of the ongoing trials and the subsequent integration process may be subject to various factors, including geopolitical considerations and technical complexities.

 

[Radha Ramanan]

though it is a good move ,the russians and MBDA might object, It would not be a problem for the super su-30 upgrade as most of the systems will be Indian.
we have to make modification in the weapon computer, store pylon computer etc. The seeker of the asraam is so good that it can be used as an irst as well. Integrating that to a russian HMS ( helmet mounted sight) is the real deal in a dog fight. Thats how pilot vardhaman shot down the f-16 using HMS and an R-73 Missile. It would not be a problem with the upgrade as we will using the Israeli Dash series of HMS.
we are getting the later model of the asraam ie the block 6 that has no US parts. The IIR seeker was the same as the aim 9x seeker from Raytheon. So US can stop any sales.
Now the IIR seeker is made in the UK is a generation ahead of the older seeker with more resolution and has a internal cooling system to cool the IIR seeker for better sensitivity.
The Asraam beats the israeli python 5 in many ways so it was chosen . But the python is the most agile CCM in the world. There was severe flutter problems when the python was integrated on the LCA as it had many control surface creating unstable airflow interacting with the LCA. The asraam is the first CCM that utlizes body lift and a clean aerodynamic profile leading to lesser drag and very high speed.

 

[NSR]

Russian R73 and now I think advanced R73E or so are one of the best CCM missiles in the world.
It is a proven missile on Migs and Sukhois for a long time.
Remember that Wing Commander Abinandan Vaarthaman used R73 on his Mig-21 to shoot down F-16.
When R73 gets locked on an enemy fighter it is very hard to escape.

So please keep ordering them from Russia for foreseeable time to keep up defenses against two sworn enemies.
Also R-73s are cheaper compared to western missiles.

 

[Ravindra Singh]

As early as possible we must adopt AI to seek and destroy enemy Aircraft with its sensor we can take a lead in missile systems of world

 

[Boomeranger]

though it is a good move ,the russians and MBDA might object, It would not be a problem for the super su-30 upgrade as most of the systems will be Indian.
we have to make modification in the weapon computer, store pylon computer etc. The seeker of the asraam is so good that it can be used as an irst as well. Integrating that to a russian HMS ( helmet mounted sight) is the real deal in a dog fight. Thats how pilot vardhaman shot down the f-16 using HMS and an R-73 Missile. It would not be a problem with the upgrade as we will using the Israeli Dash series of HMS.
we are getting the later model of the asraam ie the block 6 that has no US parts. The IIR seeker was the same as the aim 9x seeker from Raytheon. So US can stop any sales.
Now the IIR seeker is made in the UK is a generation ahead of the older seeker with more resolution and has a internal cooling system to cool the IIR seeker for better sensitivity.
The Asraam beats the israeli python 5 in many ways so it was chosen . But the python is the most agile CCM in the world. There was severe flutter problems when the python was integrated on the LCA as it had many control surface creating unstable airflow interacting with the LCA. The asraam is the first CCM that utlizes body lift and a clean aerodynamic profile leading to lesser drag and very high speed.

CANNOT integrate Meteor BVRAAM to SU30MKI jets period... Software codes of missile and Russian radar would be needed to do that.

 

[Sandeep]

This news article makes no sense. First they talk about the possible hurdle in getting MBDA to sell and integrate their ASRAAM but then they claim that they will try it on our Sukhoi jets as a test and trial.

First you need to get permission from Russia to try installing a new foreign missile if it's possible but Russia has control over the jets computer and they won't allow a MBDA or western missile to be used instead of a Russian or indigenous missile. Russia has control over the codes and software so unless we replace it with our own indigenous computer system like we will with our Super Sukhoi upgrade program we will continue to face problems.

Secondly is that we will need to get permission from MBDA and use their missile on a Russian jet and system and with the war in Ukraine they don't want anything to do with any Russian jets, missiles or technology but also to protect the missile technology, program and software. This is to make sure that Russia doesn't steal any of it's technology, capabilities and intellectual property because it will require a lot of the MBDA missiles knowledge, chips and software integration etc.

India needs to design and develop its own 100% indigenous WVR/short range BVRAAM. Currently we are designing the Astra IR missile which will allow us to use it at a closer range. Developing a short range missile is more complicated than long range missiles which have the time and longer range ability to search and lock onto the jet. With a WVR/short range missile you don't have the time and the missile needs to have a much wider infrared homing guidance, focal plane array, inertial guidance, larger field view and seeker etc. So that's why it's important to develop the entire Astra IR, MK1, MK2 and MK3 series which will cover our air to air battles with a advantage.

 

[SR]

Why we are heavily buying western systems when we have alternatives , same applies for many others like rocks, Hermes(which can be easily produced /reverse engineered but we producing under license) ,many such western weapons we just changing names to fancy Indian names but in reality this is not real atmanirbharta.
as Rafael is overpriced, Russia jets impossible due to sanctions, typhoon impossible, I think US is aiming for 18billion$ mrfa deal., so Canada , US arrested 4 Indian spies in connection to recent assassination.
I think US is favorite for mrfa , if we reject Russia most probably

 

[Radha Ramanan]

CANNOT integrate Meteor BVRAAM to SU30MKI jets period... Software codes of missile and Russian radar would be needed to do that.

Yes...That can never happen.. the only chance is when the super su-30 upgrade is done with uttam radar. That is at least 5 years down the line by which time our similar astra mk3 should be ready. MK3 will have an aesa radar seeker that will be superior to the meteor radar seeker as of now. The meteor is on the line to receive an aesa radar seeker from the japanese missile as well. The meteor is very expensive as well. We need them in large numbers due to the large su-30 fleet. Integration of the meteor if at all can be done on the super su-30 upgrade , but it does not make financial and technical sense as well
The amraam C-8 that is being produced in large numbers is marketed at 3 mill$ a piece today . The meteor will be nothing less than 5mill $ apiece.
our own astra costs 1 mill$ each and the mk3 will work out at least 2.5 mill $ per piece

 

[Pad UwU]

Yes...That can never happen.. the only chance is when the super su-30 upgrade is done with uttam radar. That is at least 5 years down the line by which time our similar astra mk3 should be ready. MK3 will have an aesa radar seeker that will be superior to the meteor radar seeker as of now. The meteor is on the line to receive an aesa radar seeker from the japanese missile as well. The meteor is very expensive as well. We need them in large numbers due to the large su-30 fleet. Integration of the meteor if at all can be done on the super su-30 upgrade , but it does not make financial and technical sense as well
The amraam C-8 that is being produced in large numbers is marketed at 3 mill$ a piece today . The meteor will be nothing less than 5mill $ apiece.
our own astra costs 1 mill$ each and the mk3 will work out at least 2.5 mill $ per piece

LMAO
Soon if astra mk3 or mk2 become available meteor will be replaced or upgraded to a better version that we are fantasizing kakakakak 😹😹😹...
It'll be miracle if we can make a better one or can compete against meteor 🙃

 

[Akhil]

Need to fully indigenize Su-30 with flight computer, et al. We are already developing technology for our platforms. Need to extend it to Su. We will get a proven airframe with credible weapon payload capacity which we already use in large numbers along with complete flexibility of indigenous platform to mix and match ANY missile system we want. Super Sukhoi program should be a step and not the end goal.