![]() ![]() ![]() Billed as India’s first indigenously-developed beyond visual range air-to-air missile, the Astra was first fired from a Su-30MKI in March 2016, entered production the following year and should be fielded with IAF Su-30MKI squadrons. India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has designed the Bharat/DRDO Astra beyond visual range air-to-air missile with all-weather day and night capability. Based at Air Force Station Thanjavur in southeast India, 222 Squadron was the first to stand-up in January 2020. Two squadrons are expected to be assigned a fleet of 40 Su-30MKIs configured to carry the Brahmos-A missile. Integration efforts on the Su-30MKI were completed in December 2019. Also, the Air Force desperately needs to improve the Su-30MKI’s mission availability rates.Īccording to an official HAL presentation, some of the indigenous systems included in the Super 30 upgrade are: upgraded EO/IR targeting system advanced weapon control system enhanced electronic warfare suite digital radar warning receiver two 230x305mm high-resolution LCDs with a multifunction control panel AESA radar with LRDE Active Array Antenna Unit (AAAU) new laser-designator pod new mission computer new helmet-mounted display system (HMDS) and HAL digital head-up display with 20×30 degree wide field of view.Īway from the Super 30 upgrade, the IAF has undertaken successful integration of the 5,500lb (2500kg) air-launched Brahmos/DRDO/NPO Brahmos-A conventionally armed standoff missile, giving the Su-30MKI a lethal maritime strike capability, with an estimated 215nm (400km) range and Mach 3 cruise speed. Given its age, the type first entered service in 2002, and the recent cross-border tussles with the People’s Republic of China and Pakistan, the IAF needs to maintain the jets in a configuration that provides a combat advantage over Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Lockheed Martin F-16s and JF-17s, and People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) J-16s, J-20s and Su-35s. It is the mainstay of the IAF strike-fighter fleet and will remain so for decades to come. Fielding a fleet of 260 Su-30MKI multi-role jets (the last of 272 produced by Hindustan Aeronautics was completed in April 2020, with 12 lost to attrition), the Indian Air Force (IAF) is a major operator of Pavel Sukhoi’s best-seller. One of the biggest fleets of fighter aircraft currently operated by an Asian nation resides in India. Around the Indo-Pacific, numerous upgrade programmes for American, European and Russian types are underway. Most Asian nations that operate fleets of legacy fighter aircraft continue to procure upgrade packages to increase capability and the extend service life of their jets.
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