Su-30MKIs to Soar Until 2050: IAF's Indigenization Plan Emphasizes Longevity

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has bold, long-term plans for its backbone fighter, the Su-30MKI.

Aiming to keep the fleet operationally relevant well into the mid-2050s, the IAF is embarking on a major integration and upgrade program driven by a dramatic increase in domestic capabilities.

Indigenization at the Core​

The IAF's ambitious longevity plan for the Su-30MKI rests on a staggering 78% indigenization rate.

This would substantially transform the Su-30MKI, moving it away from its Russian origins and into the realm of a largely Indian-built and maintained fighter platform.

Extending Service Life​

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is at the forefront of the IAF's extended service goal.

The task is to find ways to stretch the current lifespan of each Su-30MKI, which sits at approximately 6,000 flying hours (translating to 30-40 years). The aim is to add an additional 1,500 hours, potentially granting each aircraft another 10-15 years of operational service.

Indigenous Engine Upgrades​

Key to this effort is a partnership with the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) to develop homegrown upgrades for the Su-30MKI's AL-31F engines.

This is strategic, as HAL already manufactures a significant 87.7% of engine components domestically. Upgrading within India will not only extend engine life but opens potential for performance enhancements.

Continued Production​

The IAF's faith in the Su-30MKI is further reflected in recent procurement decisions. In 2021, the last two Su-30MKIs under a previous order were delivered.

To maintain fleet strength, HAL received approval to produce 12 additional aircraft, replacing losses due to accidents since 2001.

The Path to Self-Reliance​

Proposed Indian upgrades encompass a wide range of indigenization: from new avionics and AESA radar to replacing mission computers, IRST systems, and other key Russian sensors with Indian-built equivalents.

This dramatic transformation points towards a future where the aircraft requires minimal support from Russia.

The Su-30MKI's inherent robust build quality opens the possibility of life extension even without direct OEM support.

Looking Ahead​

The IAF's vision for its Su-30MKI fleet signals a shift towards greater self-reliance in defense capability.

This move has implications not only for fleet maintenance and longevity but also for the growth of India's aerospace industry.

 

[Sandeep]

You gotta read and understand what I wrote.
Precisely replacing flight control computer by India and loading ENCRYPTED Russian flight control software does not get it any access actual flight control laws or aerodynamic data to fine tune future controls software after all the improvements are made.

India gotta pay hard cash to get access to the aerodynamic models and flight control laws, if at all Russia wants to sell.

No India is making a comprehensive upgrade and removing the jets computer will include all of the flight control laws, aerodynamic data, equipment and technology that's used etc. Everything so that India doesn't have to rely on any Russian technology or equipment.

 

[Kira]

Pragmatically,I believe by that time,IAF would have an all 5th Gen fighters fleet with only the Rafale being the 4th gen jet,it's very likely that 6th gen onwards almost all future jets will be unmanned,so I don't think MKI will be needed in any capacity by then,not least because of huge RCS signature and maintenance costs/issues.
AMCA will gradually start to replace the MKI over time,and by 2050,it's very likely the transition will be complete.
Just because the MiG-21 served for over 2 decades after its technical due date does not mean that MKI will also do the same 😜

 

[Taus Melek]

If this is true then either the hierarchy of IAF is corrupt or inept, or both.

 

[Tanishq Bafila]

Don't bet on India having a 5th or any future generation of aircraft flying by 2050, the way things are going !!

Well the industry is matured now , MSMEs and Private sector players have improved a lot... Indian DPSUs have gained expertise in almost every segment from avionics , Radars , A-2-A Missiles , Laser guided bombs , EU suits and what not...

DRDO , ADA , LRDE passing technology to Private players , India has a bright future in the field of Defence..

Sanctions restricting india to gain technology from the west were removed in early 2000's , GDP is growing by 7-8% , India has now funds for R&D..

The only thing that needs to be corrected is Removing BABUs from defence ministry, restructuring DPSUs and giving incentives to Private players , and changes in DAP & to increase funds for R&D

 

[sunilanalysis]

To run away from dogfight battle fields, it should not be a problem...

 

[Anant]

Yes of course we will use conventional forces as much as possible but declaring our current nuclear policy of no first use immediately ties our hands and makes the enemy think that we won't use it. By removing that policy it automatically makes our enemy more wary and think very hard if they believe that India is more than prepared to use it regardless of how big or small the war might be which would give us a advantage in psych/info war ops.

That policy can be removed, but just like every other policy in the world, it is only worth the paper it is written on, and everyone knows that.

Using nuclear weapons first against a non-nuclear opponent is a massive no-no in almost all cases. Using nukes first against a nuclear weapon is a guarantee of massive destruction on both sides. At the end of the day, nukes are only for deterrence value, and their use is a one-in-a-million case, considering the extent of global nuclear proliferation.

 

[Anant]

IAF should look for ORCA as replacement for the SU30mki and if HAL achieved 87.5% of indigenisation of AF31 hope they will make their own engine of the similar capacity

Most components that have been indigenised in the AL-31F are non-core components. The cores are still imported, and that won't change.

 

[Sandeep]

That policy can be removed, but just like every other policy in the world, it is only worth the paper it is written on, and everyone knows that.

Using nuclear weapons first against a non-nuclear opponent is a massive no-no in almost all cases. Using nukes first against a nuclear weapon is a guarantee of massive destruction on both sides. At the end of the day, nukes are only for deterrence value, and their use is a one-in-a-million case, considering the extent of global nuclear proliferation.

The main point of removing the no first use restriction makes your enemies think as to what extent or how far will India go before it uses its nuclear weapons. It’s that unreliability and uncertainty which aids and contributes to our national security.

Nukes don’t have to be developed and used just as a deterrent. India can easily win a war against Pakistan if they launched a well timed missile on Islamabad and take out the entire Pakistani government and military leadership and command structure which would create more chaos and India can take advantage of that and reclaim POK easily enough and maybe most of the country.

 

[Akash Vashisth]

When teamed up with 5th AMCA Mk2. These will act as missile trucks.

 

[Ranjeet Singh]

SU-30 need radar evading Plasma coating to zero its radar signatures ! DRDO should develop this coating technology !

 

[Sanatani Yodha]

This means AMCA will see daylight in 2050s only….. otherwise there is no point maintaining large fighters like Su30mki (that too with rcs 20m2) in IAF fleet if AMCA and MWF/TEDBF or mk2 comes in large numbers by 2040s…..

 

[Pink Panther]

Good news . With RAM coatings,Su-30 mki can also reduce its huge RCS to stay relevant in next generation aerial warfare.

You can’t hide a elephant with huge ears(Canards), no matter what color you paint it.

 

[Pink Panther]

What next? IAF is already operating 2nd Gen MiG 21 when world is shifting to 5th Gen. And now plans to keep 4.5 Gen aircrafts till 2050s when World will move on to 6th Gen and will be developing 7th Gen...

Like, Come on!

2050 means we need to add +25, they might buy more 4th gen aircrafts.

 

[Pink Panther]

Well, by the 2050s, India will also have be flying fifth generation aircraft for over a decade, and some form of 6th or 7th generation aircraft may also be in service or in the works.

The MiG-21 isn't the mainstay of the IAF today, is it? Similarly, the Su-30MKI will cease to be the IAF's mainstay by the early 2040s.

It won’t be, Tejas MK1/MK2 won’t match Su-30 in 4.5 gen, we can’t buy 250 Rafales either, so SU-30 will be our main stay at-least till 2075 when 5th gen jets will become the backbone.

with HAL?, unless they join a 5h gen project.

 

[Pink Panther]

Speaking technically, India can keep manufacturing and utilizing them forever as they mastered how to make SU-30MKIs from raw materials from Russia.
Russia moved away from SU-30 to SU-35 & SU-57 and no one is ordering any SU-30s anymore.
India already mastered AL-31F engine manufacturing.

Lastly, India coming up with its own AESA radar and avionics and even missiles and bombs.

So Russia can be persuaded to share the designs and codes needed to build its own Super Sukhois forever at some lump some and one time compensation.
Even Mi-29 with RD-33MK would be a superior aerodynamic fighter for our Himalyan terrain.

Food for thought.

I think that would be the best thing for India, they could make another 3-4 squadrons of new SU-30’s in Super Sukhois config right from the scratch and cancel MRFA, MK2 can fill the rest of the need, but they need to remove the Canards to math or exceed SU-35 in frontal Stealth and replace the engines with AL-41F1 engines for higher power needs of AESA radar.

 

[Pink Panther]

You always need a missile truck

This is why many countries that fly 5th gen aircrafts still use F15 and will be using them for the foreseeable future.

 

[Pad UwU]

We should order more and upgrade su30mki as super suhkoi to maintain the needed air fleet if world war 3 suddenly explode

 

[Pink Panther]

Sooner or later IAF has to join in ORCA program for replacement of SU-30MKI fleet.. Sooner they join will be good for our country... With 120KN jet engine ORCA will be same category aircraft as SU-30

ORCA is too late, MK2 is enough, a non stealth version of AMCA like the Korean KAI-21 would be enough to complement MK2 and Super SU-30, no need of ORCA.

 

[Pad UwU]

Good news . With RAM coatings,Su-30 mki can also reduce its huge RCS to stay relevant in next generation aerial warfare.

Applying RAM coating is a waste of resources and funds... It'll still big in enemies radar because of the canards, external hard points with missiles and drop tanks

 

[Pink Panther]

Most components that have been indigenised in the AL-31F are non-core components. The cores are still imported, and that won't change.

It won’t increase the power.