IAF's Su-30MKI Fleet to Get DRDO's New 64-bit Mission Computer under "Super-30" Program, Elevating Capabilities to Near 5th-Gen

The Indian Air Force's (IAF) formidable Su-30MKI fleet, the backbone of its fighter squadrons, is set to undergo a transformative upgrade with the integration of a new indigenous 64-bit mission computer.

Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), this enhancement is a core part of the "Super-30" program, designed to elevate the jet's combat capabilities to near fifth-generation levels and ensure its dominance in the skies for decades to come.

The Su-30MKI, which constitutes the largest portion of the IAF's fighter fleet with approximately 272 aircraft in service, has long been a versatile and powerful platform.

However, its original mission computer, developed in 1998, operates on a 32-bit architecture. While robust for its time, modern advancements in avionics and the complexities of network-centric warfare have rendered the older system a performance bottleneck.

This crucial upgrade will be spearheaded by the Defence Avionics Research Establishment (DARE), a premier DRDO laboratory.

The new system, a state-of-the-art Digital Flight Control Computer (DFCC), is built on a Quadraplex PowerPC-based 64-bit architecture. This represents a monumental leap in processing power, enabling the aircraft to handle complex computations, advanced radar data, and sensor fusion far more efficiently.

The enhanced computational power is critical for modern aerial combat.

It will allow the Su-30MKI to seamlessly integrate and manage sophisticated systems, including a new indigenous 'Virupaksha' Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, advanced electronic warfare suites, and a new arsenal of long-range precision-guided munitions.

This ability to process vast amounts of data from multiple sources and present a clear, unified picture to the pilot—a key feature of 5th-generation aircraft—will significantly improve situational awareness and decision-making speed in contested environments.

In a key assurance of reliability, the software for the new mission computer adheres to the DO-178C Level-A safety standard, the highest international benchmark for aviation software. This compliance ensures the system's stability and robust performance during the most critical phases of a mission.

DARE has leveraged its extensive experience from developing advanced avionics for India's indigenous Tejas Mk1, Mk1A, and Mk2 fighters to create the new computer for the Su-30MKI.

The organisation has stated that the performance of the new DFCC is designed to be superior even to the systems developed for the Tejas, tailored specifically for the demanding requirements of a heavy multirole fighter like the Sukhoi.

The "Super-30" program aims to modernise an initial batch of 84 Su-30MKI jets, extending their operational life and ensuring they remain a versatile and lethal platform capable of executing air superiority, ground attack, and electronic warfare missions effectively against current and future threats.

This indigenous upgrade marks a significant step in India's self-reliance in critical defence technologies and its commitment to maintaining a technologically advanced air force.

 

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[Capt Mahendra]

Super 30, what a game changer this could be when all the SU 30 gets converted to Super 30. All the more reason why IAF should definitely opt for the golden package on offer from Russia: SU57 (complete package ToT, source code, Make in India), SU35M through MRFA contract and the jet engines that are on offer particularly Izdeliye 177S take and replace GE engines for Tejas and AMCA. These platforms are very well known to IAF and just imagine the brute force they will have 2-3 years down the line. Along with this we will have substantial amount of Tejas jets. AMCA if every thing goes as per expectations that will be the gigantic leap for IAF. No doubt in coming 5 years we will surely have a more strong and formidable military to be recognized. But the major road block is does GOI, MoD, India armed forces think in the same parallel that we keep on chirping through this platform, this remains the unresolved question. Lets hope commonsense prevails and we really enter in to some kind of deal as there is no use of the offers if no physical work is done to make it in to reality. Bureaucracy needs to be stopped when question come of countries safeguarding and national interest.

Very good elucidation and hopefully the political bosses reigns in the ever blocking lethargic beurocrates to Speed up the decision and urgent upgradation to be competitive to the ever increasing adversaries around India and ganging up against it.

 

[Senapati]

Upgrade engine to Russian 177S .Upgrade Radar IRST Cockpit Display Helmet mounted sighting .
Upgrade oxygen system to OBOGS as in Mig29K.
Upgrade DFCC MC indigenious wepons and missiles.

 

[Vishwanath Vijay Thomre]

Lots of proposals are heard in the market as,
1. SU57E + SU35M + IAF very much eying the 177S jet engine.
2. SU57E + S-70 Okhotnik-B.
3. Kilo class submarines with extended range of missiles in it.
4. Long pending and more anticipated and dearly required OTH radar.
5. R-37 and K-77 missile systems.
6. TU160 bomber.
One very good thing is they are not coming as only purchase option and forget. They are coming with tag of Make in India and Atmanirbhar platform. All these thing are expected to have at least 60 to 70% India made things which in itself is not win-win but only win situation for India. This concept will boast our industry and more job creation in decades to come.
Look all these are great offers that are circulating in the market and media houses no one knows as off when, how much and what exactly the offers are going to mature. There is absolutely no doubt that India is making leaps and bounces progress in the defense sector as a very primed Atmanirbhar and Make in India concept. We are making indigenous defense equipment's in India. But these advancements are tremendous and more seen in the Naval and Army domain of our military. We are still very weak in the Airforce domain, no doubt we have our own Tejas and AMCA projects but they are still in latent mode. Today War are decided how well equipped country is in Air dominance. No doubt that all three fronts are equally important but still your Air dominance is very much edged in conflicts. Very much seen during Op Sindoor.
In my opinion we should grab all these offers that I have highlighted. And I have my justifications for the stand. Our Air defense capacity is good but our Navy and Army is more strong. The reason is we have depleted Air squadrons and relatively old aircrafts. The offers are very much in our favor as they are coming with Make in India tag. This will help us in increasing our Air dominance with different array of equipment's in sky, the additional India grown jets will add more superiority and further Air dominance. The OTH radars will be game changer to our Air defense which is already so strong as seen in Op Sindoor and with F35B jamming. No doubt this is cost investment and a long term program but more importantly is the safety of our Nation and the high value assets in entire India that are to be protected from ariel threats. These investments might be seen very high but considering the trillions of high value targets to day Indian infrastructure has these spent billions for future safety is much more valuable and important. As a responsible and important tax payer I stand firmly with all theses offers and all our indigenous platforms. I would say a rupee invested today will earn 100's tomorrow. What is your all views on this.

 

[Vishwanath Vijay Thomre]

After spending billions of dollars in Rafale it won't make sense to buy Su-35 under MRFA now. Either they would proceed with remaining 114 Rafales under domestic manufacturing, or they would split MRFA budget, buying 2-3 squadrons of Rafales(G2G) and 2-3 squadrons of a Fifth Gen Fighter(SU 57 or F-35A), second option seeming more plausible.

Buying Rafael again wont be a right choice, simply because of the following reasons.
1. Rafael is too costly for MRFA, yes we have gone for Rafael M but that to its very costly.
2. Rafael dose not have provision of having our own radar, EW, mission computer systems, even integration of Indian munitions is not preferred by Dassault. So again goin for so costly jet with no freedom is not a good option.
3. EU wats to up the defense anti, so in long run how France will support you remains a question as EU has very less aviation companies producing jets. Needs to address this very precariously.
4. Rafael wont be able to supply you jets before 2030 or even 2035 due to their pending orders, Rafael M itself is going to come by late 2028 up till 2032. Big worry if we invest. This will be same like how we are facing challenge with GE404 and GE414. Not viable option.
Now SU35M offer pros and cons
Pros
1. Its a platform known very well to IAF, they literally sleep with this platform. Pro
2. This will be very cost effective, under MRFA project, as at cost of 1 Rafael will be able to procure 2 SU35M, Pro
3. SU35 is advanced 4.5+ jet, and this is very well tested in combat environments. Pro
4. The best part of this deal will be we will be able to manipulate the jets as per our choice technically and combat readiness. Big Pro
5. SU57 and SU35 with SU30 and don't know about S70 Okhotnik just imagine 3-4 years down the line this will be a lethal combination. Big Pro.
Cons
1. Russia going through rough patch and facing sanctions from West can hamper the procurements. Con
2. After this biggest deal of the century if at all happens, India will be facing pressure from not only West but also from China as this will take India way ahead of rest of the world. Remember I always say its not the machine but the hands that operate them and IAF are damn good better than the US (might be little over but that is what I believe). Big Con.
3. How fast we are able to make this deal and how much remains still in the dark, as this has been the nature of GOI and MoD when it comes to India Defense. In a way Con

Since HAL recently said that the procurements difficulties are overcome and Russia also pitching the deal says that they are confident enough to be able to support our plans. Lets see what happens in future. But for me Russia and their long lucrative package is way forward for India to really able to strengthen the Airforce 5 years down the line.