The Sukhoi Su-30MKI (Modernized Commercial India) is a multi-role combat aircraft that was developed jointly by India and Russia for Indian Air Force (the IAF). The aircraft’s NATO designation is the Flanker-H.

This aircraft was developed by the Indian company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and the Russian Sukhoi Corporation. It is based on the famous Su-27 design, which is one of the most highly praised fighter jet in the world.

After two years of negotiation between between India and Russia, in 1996, India and Russia inked the deal. Indian Air Force and Sukhoi Corporation signed a deal for over 1.4 billion US dollars to buy 40 Su-30s, with another ten aircrafts ordered in 1998 for 277.01 million dollars. The first eight aircrafts were to be Su-30MKs, which is the most basic version of the Su-30 aircraft. The second set of aircrafts were ten Su-30Ks, which would have Israeli and French avionics. The next ten aircrafts would be Su-30Ks with canard foreplanes, followed by a set of 12 Su-30MKI aircrafts and then finally ten more Su-30MKIs with AL-31FP turbofans.

A new deal was made in 2000 for the purchase of at least 140 of the Su-30MKI aircrafts. Delivery is expected to be completed by 2014. The first of the Russian made aircraft was delivered in 2002, with production gradually shifting to India. The intention was to create an aircraft that could be entirely produced within India, from the raw materials to the final aircraft. The first Indian built version of the aircraft, the Su-30MKI was produced in 2004. The Air Force placed an order for 40 additional Su-30MKI aircrafts in 2007.

A contract for an additional 42 aircraft was signed in 2010, which included two replacement aircraft for the aircrafts that had crashed. The cost of each of the aircraft in this batch had risen to 102 million dollars each, compared to a 40 million dollar price for each of the Su-30MKI aircrafts in 2007. The higher cost of the newest aircrafts inspired rumors that they were to be produced for India’s Strategic Forces Command and optimized for carrying nuclear weapons.

The IAF had 124 of these aircraft in operation in 2010, with plans for a fleet of 280 aircrafts by the year 2015. Of these aircrafts, 90 will have been constructed entirely in Russia, with the rest being manufactured by HAL in India. The Su-30MKI is expected to be the main aircraft for the IAF until 2020 and beyond.

The Su-30MKI is a special variation of the Sukhoi Su-30, designed specifically for use by the IAF. It is a multipurpose heavy class, all weather aircraft that can be used as both a strike fighter and a long range superiority fighter. The Su-30MKI is currently the top fighter jet in the IAF and it is the most advanced version of the Su-27 Flanker that is in use throughout the world. This aircraft is often used by the IAF in bilateral and multilateral exercises. The Su-30MKI has been highly praised by other air forces including the British RAF, following some exercises.

Since the Su-30MKI is specifically designed for the IAF, it has been built according to the specifications. The MKI’s frame is based upon that of the Sukhoi Su-27. The aircraft makes use of some Indian avionics and other systems, as well as using some avionics and subsystems created by the French, South Africans, Russians and Israelis. The Su-30MKI shares many elements of its design with the Sukhoi Su-35. It is a more advanced aircraft than the Su-30MK, Su-30MKK or Su-30MKM.

Upgrades and planned upgrades to the Su-30MKI includes a deal for Novator K-100 missiles for the Su-30MKI, an upgraded version of the aircraft capable of carrying BrahMos cruise missiles and nuclear capable Mirbhay missiles, and the incorporation of new technology into the aircraft, including new AESA radar system.

DESIGN

The IAF currently operates four squadrons of Su-30MKI aircraft. The Su-30MKI airframes are usually painted in a sky blue pattern, sometimes with the serial number marked under the cockpit.

The Su-30MKI is a two seat aircraft that can be flown from either seat. This allows tasks to be shared between the crew, with one crew member flying and the other fighting in a combat situation. Having two pilots also means that the Su-30MKI can stay in the air longer by enabling the pilots to take turns flying and resting, so the aircraft can take full advantage of the in-flight refueling. A selection of special in-flight meals have been designed for the pilots.

The fuel system provides a range of 300 kilometers or a 2.75 hour long combat mission. In flight refueling is made possible by a retractable probe, in order to increase the flight time up to ten hours for a range of 8000 kilometers. Mk 32.B buddy-buddy refueling pods and Cobham 754 buddy refueling pods can also be used.

The Su-30MKI has an FBW which has quadruple redundancy. The pilot uses a standard control stick, but there is a switch that can be used to switch on automatic computation for the use of swiveling nozzles and aerodynamic surfaces during difficult maneuvers.

The Su-30MKI is a twin-finned plan that has an airframe made of titanium and of high strength aluminum alloys. The airframe contains a relatively high proportion of composites. The configuration of the Su-30MKI is an unstable longitudinal triplane. A streamlined profile is maintained between the engine nacelles and tail beams by the use of trouser fairings to fit the nacelles. The fuel tank, brake parachute container and equipment container is fitted into the section of the central beam between the engine nacelles. The avionics bay, cockpit and radar compartments are fitted into the semi-monocoque fuselage head. The Su-30MKI has a wing that has greater relative thickness. This enables more fuel to be carried. The wing has high lift devices with deflecting leading edges. The wing curvature can be changed using remote controls for subsonic flights.

The Su-30MKI has two Al 31FP Turbofan engines, each of which has 29400 pounds of full afterburner thrust. These engines have thrust vectoring nozzles that can deflect 32 degrees horizontally and 15 degrees vertically, which can produce a corkscrew effect that enhances maneuverability. The engines have a MTBO of about 1000 hours. The TV nozzles have MTBO of about 250 hours.

A digital FBW ensures excellent control and stability. The canard increasing the lifting effectiveness and it is particularly important for control at high angles of attack. The Su-30MKI has no limits on AoA. The aerodynamic configuration of the Su-30MKI combined with thrust vectoring gives the aircraft superb maneuverability.

In the cockpit, the crew has ejection seats (zero-zero KD-36DM) that are inclined to 30 degrees, and have modified communication/oxygen interface blocks. The seat to the rear is raised up to provide improved visibility. There are containers for supplies of water and food in the cockpit, as well as a system for waste disposal and the provision of larger amounts of oxygen than in older aircrafts.

An A-737 GPS compatible satellite navigation system with an integrated SAGEM Sigma-95 GPS and an inertial ring laser gyroscope navigation system is used to enable navigation in all conditions of weather and in both daytime and nighttime.

The Su-30MKI has N011M Phased Array radar, which is multimode dual frequency radar that uses non cooperative targeting methods. This radar system is designed to detect fighters at ranges of between 150 and 160 kilometers and it is capable of engaging eight targets and tracking 20. In the air to ground mode, the system can detect large targets at 400 kilometers and small ground targets of about the size of a tank at 40 to 50 kilometers. The NIIP N011M Bars or Panther radar’s display processors, radar computer, and mission computer were all developed in India as part of Project Vetrivale. The aircraft’s radar can also be used as a command post to coordinate with other aircraft.

The SU-30MKI uses an opto-electronic system for targeting and surveillance. This system includes an IR direction finder, a laser rangefinder and a helmet mounted sight system. Communications equipment includes HF and VHF radio sets, an antenna feeder assembly and a digital, secure telecommunications system. There is an automatic and noise proof system for target data exchange that can be used to coordinate multiple aircraft.

The locator system can be used in both day time and night time, together with the sighting system mounted on the helmet. The Rafael Listening pod is used for Laser Guided Munitions and there is an APK-9 data link pod for the Kh-59ME. The Su-30MKI uses the OLS-30, which is an improved version of the OLS-27 used in the Su-27. The OLS-30 provides improved software and service life, a micro-cryogenic screen and a receiver that is vibration proof. It has a range of 40 kilometers head on and 90 kilometers in pursuit.

The combat load can be mounted in 12 different stations. More than 70 different types of weapons, both guided and unguided, can be used with the SU-30MKI. This enables the aircraft to be used in diverse types of missions. The maximum combat load is 8000kg. The IAF can use all of the compatible Russian AGMs and AAMs, and they also have access to the RVV-AE, which is not being used by the Russian Air Force. The Su-30MKI has an inbuilt single barrel 30mm GSh-301 gun (150 rounds). The Astra BVRAAM and AAM KS-172 are to be integrated into the aircraft. The self-defense system of the Su-30MKI includes the Tarang Mk II Radar Warning Receiver, as well as a number of flares/chaff dispensers and active jammers.