Su-30MKI

Su-30MKI

Type: Multirole Fighter

Domain: air

Country of Origin: France

Manufacturer: HAL (India, license) / Sukhoi (Russia)

NATO Designation: Flanker-H

First Deployed: 2002

Overview

The Su-30MKI Flanker-H is the backbone of the Indian Air Force, forming the largest single fighter type in the IAF inventory with 240+ aircraft. License-produced at HAL Nasik, the MKI variant is heavily customized for India with Israeli and French avionics, including the Bars N011M PESA radar, OLS-30 IRST, Tarang RWR, and EW pods. Thrust-vectoring AL-31FP engines and canard foreplanes provide supermaneuverability. The platform is the only fighter in the world integrated with the BrahMos-A air-launched supersonic cruise missile, giving India a unique standoff strike capability. The ongoing Super Sukhoi upgrade adds an AESA radar, new EW suite, and expanded weapons. HAL Nasik provides domestic maintenance and overhaul capability, reducing foreign dependence for day-to-day sustainment.

Technical Specifications

crew2
radarBars N011M PESA (Super Sukhoi upgrade: AESA)
ceiling17,300 m
engines2x Saturn AL-31FP thrust-vectoring turbofan
armamentGSh-30-1 30mm cannon; R-77, R-27, R-73 AAMs; BrahMos-A; KAB-1500 LGB; Kh-31
max_speedMach 2.0
fleet_size240+ aircraft
hardpoints12
combat_radius~1,500 km

Operators

Related air Weapon Systems