Su-30MKI: The frontline of the IAF
Su-30MKI at a glance
The SU-30MKI multi-role fighter is a two-seat highly-manoeuvrable aircraft designed for air-superiority and for strikes on ground and naval targets. These aircraft have significantly enhanced the combat capabilities of the Indian Air Force.
Su-30MKI is a tailor-made aircraft for Indian specifications. It has an "international" avionics portfolio, including sub-systems and units made by 14 foreign firms from 6 countries. The aircraft features state of the art avionics developed by Russia, India and Israel which includes display, navigation, targeting and electronic warfare systems. Other key avionics used in the aircraft were sourced from France and South Africa.
The Su-30MKI avionics suite features have a number of advanced components, including integrated radar sighting system capable of detecting and tracking up to 15 air targets, while simultaneously attacking four of them, optronic sighting–and-navigation system with laser gyro navigator. The aircraft is provided with an ECCM facility intended to subvert hostile electronic and electro-optical countermeasures and etc. The superiority of the Su-30MKI's radar in terms of target detection range, scanning sectors and jamming immunity makes it highly effective in long-range air combat.
The aircraft also features helmet-mounted displays, head-up-display, multifunction colour LCDs with image mixing capability including hi-tech GPS system (GLONASS/NAVSTAR compatible).
Engines with thrust-vectoring nozzles enable the Su-30MKI to perform such manoeuvres as "cobra", "vertical reverse", "roll in bell", "turn in cobra", etc. In these manoeuvres, the angle of attack can reach 180 degree. The Su-30 MKI's super manoeuvreability gives it 30% superiority over its competitors in close air combat. This super manoeuvreability can be effectively used in combat.
The fighter aircraft has a co-pilot to improve the crew's performance, weapon employment efficiency and blend perfectly for group missions.
Indian Contribution to Su-30 MKI
The Su-30MKI contains advanced avionics which were developed by DRDO under a project code named "Vetrivale" in close collaboration with the PSUs and the Indian Air Force.
The following are the significant components developed from the Indian side:
Mission Computer cum Display Processor - MC-486 and DP-30MK (Defence Avionics Research Establishment - DARE)
Radar Computer - RC1 and RC2 (DARE)
Tarang Mk2 Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) + High Accuracy Direction Finding Module (HADF) (DARE)
IFF-1410A - Identification Friend or Foe (IFF)
Integrated Communication suite INCOM 1210A (HAL)
Radar Altimeter - RAM-1701 (HAL)
Programmable Signal Processor (PSP) - (LRDE)
Multi Function Displays (MFD) - Samtel/DARE
The other DARE-developed product, the Tarang Mk2 (Tranquil) radar warning receiver, is manufactured by state-owned BEL at its Bangalore
facility. It alerts the pilot to all surrounding "threats" such as radar-controlled guns and missiles for initiating evasive action or counter-measures.
DRDO also brought into the limelight a new design of the Core Avionics Computer (CAC) which is basically made for the Su-30MKI aircraft but with a single module adaptation can be used across many other aircraft platforms.
The Su-30MKI equipped with a phased array radar and an engine with thrust vector control is currently the only aircraft of this level in the world.
IAF in combat exercises over the period
In military exercises, military resources are employed for combat training and for testing strategies in simulated combat. Joint air combat exercises are meant for strengthening of military cooperation between the participating countries and also for the enhancement of interoperability and mutual understanding between military pilots of the two countries.
IAF has participated in many air combat military exercises with friendly nations.
Cope India 2004 saw India and the United States engaging in a series of mock combats, in which the top pilots from the two countries matched their skills against each other. This was the first bilateral dissimilar air combat exercise together conducted by the IAF and USAF after a gap of more than two decades, mainly to enhance relations and to understand each other's mutual capabilities.
USAF pilots found that IAF pilots were of superior quality who outperformed US pilots in beyond visual range air combat engagements by simulated launching of medium-range missiles from Su-30K and Mirage 2000H against USAF aircraft. The US aircraft lost in 90% of within visual range air combat engagements.
After its triumphant success in Cope India 2004, IAF also participated with its primary Su-30K fighter-interceptor in SINDEX 2004 with Singapore and in Garuda II with France. Garuda I was the first-ever joint exercise between India and France which was held in 2003 in Gwalior, India. Co-operative Cope Thunder 2004 was also another air exercise in 2004 where IAF's six Jaguar deep-penetration strike aircraft and two IL-76 transport aircraft flew to Alaska in US to participate in the multi-national exercise. Sukhoi aircraft was not part of the IAF contingent during these two exercises.
Su-30MKI in air combat exercises
Su-30MKI, for the first time took part in joint war games with foreign air forces, in Cope India 2005.
During the air combat mission, Su-30MKI protected AWACS aircraft against F-16 attacks and also intercepted large group of strike aircraft. The US aircraft lost nearly 50% of dogfights, even after E-3 AWACS aircraft provided all the information support. The two sides performed 300 sorties, including aerobatic flights, single type dog fights and mixed type group flights. It was the first-ever exercise where AWACS came into limelight on the Indian territory.
Indra Dhanush 2006 was the first ever joint exercise between Royal Air Force (RAF) and Indian Air Force. Su-30MKI tested its waters with RAF Tornado F3. The RAF pilots were of the viewpoint that the Su-30 MKI combat capabilities surpassed those of the Tornado F3 fighter-interceptor.
Again Su-30MKI aircraft was far more superior and impressed France with its super manoeuvreability during the Garuda III military exercise held in Kalaikunda Air Force Base in India. For the first time IAF got a chance to operate on board the AWACS aircraft to familiarize itself in AWACS operation. This experience became a sort of training to operate the customized built Indian AWACS with a Russian aircraft fitted with Israeli Phalcon radar.
Indra Dhanush 2007 saw the first deployment of Su-30MKI fighter aircraft outside India and first ever participation of the European Typhoon in joint exercises with foreign air forces.
Red Flag exercise is considered to be the most demanding the mother of all military exercise conducted anywhere in the world. The Red Flag exercise normally host only NATO member-countries and close US allies. But on rare occasions a non-NATO member is invited to participate.
A typical Red Flag exercise involves a variety of attack, fighter and bomber aircraft (F-15Es, A-10s, B-1s, etc.), reconnaissance aircraft (UAV - Predator), electronic countermeasures suppression aircraft (EC-130s, EA-6Bs and F-16s), air superiority aircraft (F15s, F-16s, etc), airlift support (C-130s, C-141s), search and rescue aircraft (HH-53s, HC-130s), and aerial refuelling aircraft (KC-130s, KC-135s). The E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft plays a significant role in the training by using its unique radar capability to monitor and support the forces.
Red Flag 2008 saw the active participation of IAF with the USAF. Other nations like France and Korea were also the part of the joint exercise.
The exercise visualised the combat employment tactics of Su-30MKI in strike missions. The fighter aircraft surpassed both the F-15 and F-16 fighter aircraft.
65 aircraft and helicopters and over 1000 multi-national personnel were involved in the exercise.
Su-30MKI also proved its mettle at the Desert Eagle 2008 exercise held at Al Dafra Air Force Base, UAE. The aircraft was engaged in air combat training engagements with the F-16 and Mirage 2000-9 fighters of UAE Air Force and Air Defence.
Su-30MKI didn't participate in the earlier air combat exercises, i.e; Cope India 2004, SINDEX 2004, and Garuda II. It was the Su-30K fighter interceptor alongwith Mirage, MiG and other transport aircraft, which played a key role during these military exercises with other nations.
Conclusion
The inclusion of the Su-30MKI in the Indian Air Force has definitely given an added military strength to India's defence wing. IAF has received immense confidence with such successes in the air combat exercises with various nations. Countries like USA and other NATO nations see Su-30MKI as one of the best combat aircraft in service.
Because of these results, IAF is modifying its infrastructure with modernised Su-30MKI to train its forces in fighting the next generation war.
To enchance combat potential of the Su-30MKI, the modification of this aircraft is currently implemented to integrate the BRAHMOS supersonic cruise missile into its weaponry suite. The Su-30MKI armed with the BRAHMOS missile will attain the deep-strike capability of engaging ground and sea-surface targets at a distance of up to 300 km.
Finally, Su-30MKI gives the Indian Air Force a capability that will remain unmatched by all rivals for the foreseeable future.
