10/7/2023 0 Comments Aim 260 vs meteorBilled 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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