Why India Opts for More Su-30MKI Over Su-34 to Replace Aging MiG-27s Until Tejas Mk2 Arrives

India's decision to retire its aging MiG-27 fleet without replacing them with the Russian Su-34 Fullback, despite having a substantial number of Su-30MKIs, has stirred discussions in defence circles. Several interconnected factors, including operational needs, financial considerations, and strategic objectives, underpin this choice.

While the Su-34 is a formidable strike aircraft with a vast payload, advanced avionics, and long-range precision strike capability, the Indian Air Force (IAF) already fulfills its operational requirements with the Su-30MKI, a versatile multi-role fighter capable of air-to-air and air-to-ground combat. The proven effectiveness of the Su-30MKI in various roles has reduced the urgency for a dedicated strike platform like the Su-34.

The Su-30MKI's strengths lie in its advanced avionics, diverse weaponry, and mid-air refueling capability, which extends its operational range and versatility. The aircraft's established track record in the IAF has made it a trustworthy choice to take over missions previously performed by the MiG-27, eliminating the immediate necessity for a platform like the Su-34.

Moreover, the Su-34's side-by-side seating arrangement for pilots differs from the Su-30MKI's tandem configuration. Transitioning pilots to this new setup would necessitate extensive retraining, impacting resources. Continuing with the Su-30MKI's existing training procedures ensures smoother transitions and efficient resource allocation.

Financial aspects significantly influenced the decision. Acquiring new aircraft entails substantial costs, including purchase, maintenance, training, and fleet integration. The Su-34, as a specialized strike aircraft, would have demanded additional investment in infrastructure, training, and logistics, further escalating expenses.

In contrast, India possesses a considerable Su-30MKI fleet, and maintaining a larger fleet of a single aircraft type benefits from economies of scale. Optimizing maintenance and training for the Su-30MKI fleet offers a more cost-effective solution than introducing a new aircraft type with associated costs.

Strategically, India prioritizes developing indigenous defence capabilities, including the Tejas Mk2. Investing in foreign platforms like the Su-34 could divert resources and attention from these domestic programs. Focusing on the Su-30MKI and advancing indigenous projects supports India's goal of building a self-reliant defence industry.

Additionally, integrating a new aircraft type complicates fleet management, logistics, and maintenance. The IAF already manages a diverse fleet, and adding another type would necessitate new support systems, supply chains, and training programs. Streamlining the fleet by relying more on the Su-30MKI simplifies logistics and boosts operational efficiency.

In conclusion, India's decision to acquire more Su-30MKIs instead of Su-34s aligns with the nation's aspirations for self-reliance in defence while optimizing existing resources and ensuring a smooth transition until the indigenous Tejas Mk2 is fully operational.

 

[R. Singh]

Instead of SU-34 India should make a more strengthen air framed Super Su-30 MKI variant (120+) to carry 10 -11 ton of weapon load powered by Al-41 engines ! This platform should deliver FAB series of Bombs, BrahMos-A,/BrahMos-NG /BrahMOS-2K Air version of Nirbhay Cruise missile and Kinzhal missiles etc !

 

[sanket]

India should buy atleast 9 Bomers white swan.

 

[Pramkumar]

We should cancel the MRFA and invest in MK2 and ORCA as replacement for SU30mki and invest in Kaveri engine and othe technology and infrastructure

 

[War is good for business]

We should cancel the MRFA and invest in MK2 and ORCA as replacement for SU30mki and invest in Kaveri engine and othe technology and infrastructure

Even if Tejas Mk1A, Mk2 and AMCA are delivered in time, MRFA will be needed to address the shortfall.

 

[Ranjeet Singh]

India's operation requirement effective will be met buy made in India F-15 Ex-II not by Su-30MKI remember it failure on 27.02.2019 mission ! Mig-27 void could be met by development of Tejas-1B , airframe like Mirage-2000-9, powered by Kaveri (95KN ) engine jointly developed by Snecma and GTRE and attain MAc 2.25 speed !

 

[Pad UwU]

GoI doesn't funds for it and we don't have enough money for ToT's especially we already splurge big funds into many super ultra delay make in India indigenous projects up until now some are still not quite yet deliver, others still on papers without prototype and worse cancelled after we wasted time and tax payers money 😺

 

[NSR]

India definitely does not need this substandard contraption by any means.
We have a formidable SU-30MKIs and it was a wise decision to go with it.

Mig-29s will do pretty well and may be India should order those 21 half finished Mig-29s and install Indian RD-33MK engines and Indian and western avionics and Russian and Indian missiles and bombs like Rudrams.
Mig-29s will be replaced by our mighty Tejas Mk 2s in a half decade or so.

No worries for not selecting DU-34s as they are getting destroyed by Ukraine air and missile defenses.

 

[Akshat]

We should cancel the MRFA and invest in MK2 and ORCA as replacement for SU30mki and invest in Kaveri engine and othe technology and infrastructure

Kaveri and Mk2 have been receiving blank check funding. But where are they?

 

[vamkris]

India shall buy 64 su57 or rafael 4 .1 or Typhoon immediately to tackle j20

 

[Kira]

I believe this has also to do with other factors that lessened the need for dedicated strike aircraft for Indian needs such as development of a missile program that produces accurate missiles for ground strikes,induction of multirole jets than can perform much of the same role as strike aircraft,plus advent of smart bombs and other accurate methods of surface to air attacks meant that it is riskier for strike aircraft to fly at low altitude rather than simply conducting strikes by stand off weapons.
In addition,the development of nukes and their deployment meant that large scale wars became unthinkable and thus no need to invest resources for that purpose aka large scale deployment of strike jets that needs to target ground targets and no mention steady increase in induction of shoulder fired SAMs in neighbouring countries,all these factors ensured that dedicated attack birds became obsolete for India over time,as seen by sporadic usage by the IAF of MiG-27 and Jaguars even though they numbered in the hundreds,while a multirole jet like the Mirage-2000 became IAF's go to jet because of its reliability and versatility even though there only about 60 of them.
Similar to how MiG-31 was not inducted following MiG-25 retirement as India steadily gained access to surveillance satellites.

 

[PKPRS]

Even if Tejas Mk1A, Mk2 and AMCA are delivered in time, MRFA will be needed to address the shortfall.

We really don’t need MRFA if we start making MK2 in another 5 years, to fill the gap we are also buying used Jaguars from UK besides getting used Mirages from Qatar and Greece, this will give us some breething time till MK2 is ready.

 

[kumar]

IAFs heavy fighter requirement is met by su30mki. I doubt they will go for new heavy fighter type. If required, they may go for additional mig29s instead of heavy fighters.

 

[Anant]

India definitely does not need this substandard contraption by any means.
We have a formidable SU-30MKIs and it was a wise decision to go with it.

Mig-29s will do pretty well and may be India should order those 21 half finished Mig-29s and install Indian RD-33MK engines and Indian and western avionics and Russian and Indian missiles and bombs like Rudrams.
Mig-29s will be replaced by our mighty Tejas Mk 2s in a half decade or so.

No worries for not selecting DU-34s as they are getting destroyed by Ukraine air and missile defenses.

The Tejas Mk 2 isn't getting inducted with even a single aircraft in half a decade, let alone get inducted in sufficient numbers to replace the MiG-29. The Tejas Mk 2 will replace the MiG-29 sometime in the second half of the 2030s, assuming HAL can get their act together somewhat.

 

[PKPRS]

Kaveri and Mk2 have been receiving blank check funding. But where are they?

Because they are dirt cheap and doesn’t cost us Billions like buying MRFA jets., we should allocate even more fund to GTRE.

 

[Sandeep]

India needs to concentrate on several key projects to improve and increase our lethality. First they need to start the Super Sukhoi program so they can improve, change and upgrade the technology, parts, components, equipment and sensors etc to improve, the lethality and capabilities.

What they also need to do is start manufacturing the Tejas MK1A jets on time and increase production rates so we can increase our squadron strength.

At the same time they need to quickly develop the Tejas MK2 which is a crucial jet that will enhance our combat capabilities and fire power that’s required to conduct offensive operations and missions.

Even more important is that they quickly develop the AMCA stealth jet. They need to start building the prototype so we can start production but it will take time unless they find ways to shorten manufacturing or development process.

 

[Pink Panther]

India should buy atleast 9 Bomers white swan.

We don’t need any dedicated bombers, this is why we are converting our existing fleet of C17 Globemaster’s and C130J Super Hercules to Cruise missile bombers with the help of US, this is done by adding a missile cradle to use them as bombers and removing to use as cargo tranporters, so in theory we have 21 bombers already.

 

[Pramkumar]

Kaveri and Mk2 have been receiving blank check funding. But where are they?

Where is the blank check, GOI is allocating only 1/10 of the required funding. and highly depending on the support on technical from Either Europe or US.

 

[Akshat]

Where is the blank check, GOI is allocating only 1/10 of the required funding. and highly depending on the support on technical from Either Europe or US.

What is a blank check? That whatever is asked for by the other entity (GTRE), it is provided.

Now, the original ask was 300 crores. It was given. Then multiple extensions. Finally, 2800 crores was given and they could only use 2100 crores and couldn’t even finish the amount they were given.

So yeah, GoI has given a blank check and GTRE had no idea whatsoever what to do with the money. So money will never change the outcome.

 

[Bijoy Kumar Shaw]

True, is the proven effectiveness of SU30MKI in its various roles and has ticked the right boxes from our perspective. We do not know how many aces are up their sleeves. Having different forms of lethal arrows in our quiver would negate the secret aces that we may not be aware of. The Su-34 being a formidable strike aircraft with a vast payload, advanced avionics,with side by side seating arrangement and long-range precision strike capability ; it's acquisition might answer to the point as mentioned above.