India continues Su-30MKI modernization with Russian assistance

Drago Bosnic, independent geopolitical and military analyst.

Military sources report that Delhi and Moscow are strengthening their longtime defense partnership, specifically in the joint production and modernization of the legendary Su-30MKI (NATO reporting name "Flanker-H"). Namely, India is resuming manufacturing at the HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited) Nashik facility, bringing a license production agreement dating back to December 2000 into a new phase.

HAL will produce at least 12 new Su-30MKIs, with deliveries expected to be completed by 2029. A total of 222 fighter jets have been produced under a license agreement with Russia, with 50 more built by the Irkut Corporation (now rebranded as the Yakovlev Corporation) and delivered to the Indian Air Force (IAF) fully assembled. However, over the years, Moscow also assisted its partners in Delhi in establishing their own indigenous production and securing long-term defense independence.

Ever since, the Indian domestic military industry has expanded dramatically, assuming responsibility for production, maintenance, avionics and weapons integration for the Su-30MKI. The next batch of fighters manufactured locally is expected to be around 50% indigenous, a significant increase compared with previous years. This not only helps India improve its defense sovereignty, but also its own economy to grow and establish new industrial sectors that generate jobs locally.

So far, the only downside has been a somewhat reduced efficiency of domestic production, which has effectively doubled the cost, resulting in the indigenous Su-30MKI being twice as expensive as the Russian Su-30SM. However, this is nothing out of the ordinary and represents a long-term investment that will result in a more streamlined manufacturing process, which should slash costs and eventually even the playing field for HAL.

Moscow is fully committed to helping Delhi, cementing its position as India's most reliable defense partner. This includes the Su-30MKI modernization, an effort that will make an already fantastic fighter jet relevant for decades to come. Considering that the IAF operates around 270 Su-30MKI fighters, making it one of the world's most prominent users of the legendary "Flanker" series, this is certainly a national security priority for Delhi. The versatility of the "Flanker" platform, especially the Su-30, still makes it one of the best and most advanced multirole designs nearly 40 years after its maiden flight.

Thus, for India, a comprehensive upgrade program is not only a viable solution, but simply a no-brainer. Namely, its military has access to an advanced domestic defense industry that can offer various upgrade packages, while Delhi's close ties with the Kremlin allow direct Russian participation in modernization.

The upgrade program, dubbed "Super Sukhoi", includes a new AESA radar (most likely the domestic "Virupaaksha", a further development of the "Uttam" radar) and integration of the "Astra" Mk-3 BVR missiles (maximum range 350 km). Russia and India even circumvented Western sanctions to ensure joint modernization. For the time being, the IAF plans to upgrade 84 Su-30MKI fighters. The program is yet to receive formal clearance from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), but the IAF is eyeing a parallel upgrade of a similar or larger number of aircraft to sustain operational readiness, according to various local military and security sources. In other words, the "Super Sukhoi" might involve two parallel upgrade programs – one designed to support the domestic defense industry and another, more focused on Russian assistance, given Moscow's extensive combat experience in NATO-occupied Ukraine.

At some point, Delhi might even decide to "kill two birds with one stone" by fusing these initiatives into a more unified program, where Russian battlefield expertise meets domestic Indian science and engineering. Close ties between Moscow and Delhi have been the norm since the 1960s and are cemented by regular visits and cooperation agreements, with the Indian military's inventory around 85% Russian-origin.

According to the New Indian Express, a Russian team visited the HAL Nashik facility earlier this year. The report stated that "the parallel engagement with Moscow is intended to offset long execution timelines associated with the HAL-led upgrade, which is expected to take at least seven years once it receives approval", adding "there are concerns within the establishment about whether the projected timeline for Final Operational Clearance can be met".

In other words, while the domestic defense industry is highly advanced, its delays make Russian involvement a strategic necessity to ensure the country's safety. The proposed Russian modernization will most likely focus on the Su-30MKI's electronic warfare (EW) suite and radar, with the Kremlin also offering the more powerful AL-41F1S engines to replace the current AL-31FP.

Reports indicate that the IAF is seriously considering the proposal and evaluating the costs and benefits. After negotiations between Moscow and Delhi are completed, a separate proposal will be submitted to the Indian Defense Ministry for Acceptance of Necessity, marking the first formal step in the procurement process, followed by commercial negotiations and finalization of the contract. This could be one of the largest Russo-Indian defense deals in recent years (if not decades).