Su30MKI

The Sukhoi Su-30MKI is a two-seat, twin-engine multirole fighter developed by Sukhoi in collaboration with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Air Force (IAF). Based on the Su-27/Su-30 family, the MKI variant incorporates Indian and French avionics, forward canards, and a broad mission profile that includes air superiority, interception, and precision strike roles. It is produced under license in India by HAL and remains a cornerstone of the IAF’s long‑range fighter fleet.

Development and deployment began in the late 1980s as part of India’s air-defense modernization. The program led to a license-built aircraft that fused Russian airframe technology with Indian systems and customization. The Su-30MKI entered service with the IAF in the early 2000s and has since undergone numerous upgrades to avionics, sensors, and weapons integration.

Key design features of the Su-30MKI include a tandem two-seat cockpit, forward canards for enhanced maneuverability and handling, and robust flight performance derived from the Su-27 lineage. Its avionics suite has evolved from Russian-origin radar and sensor systems to include more advanced Indian and Western subsystems, with several airframes upgraded to AESA radar configurations. The aircraft employs a range of sensors, including an infrared search and track/targeting system, and supports data links for networked operations.

Armament options are versatile, enabling air-to-air kills with missiles such as short- and medium-range types, and air-to-ground missions using bombs and guided missiles. A notable capability is the integration of BrahMos air-launched cruise missiles on compatible airframes, along with Kh-series anti-ship and stand-off weapons, enabling long-range strike missions.

Operator: Indian Air Force is the sole primary operator. The Su-30MKI remains the backbone of India’s air defense and power projection, with ongoing upgrades and expanding mission capabilities.