Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will negotiate with Russia to acquire 12 more Sukhoi-30MKI kits for the Indian Air Force (IAF). Concurrently, HAL will discuss its Super Sukhoi upgrade proposal, for which it will seek OEM approval to upgrade the entire Su-30MKI fleet operated by the IAF with Indian-made equipment and systems.
According to Rosoboronexport sources, Russia is eager for the Indian Sukhoi-30 upgrade programme to incorporate some of the systems and equipment from the SM2 upgrade performed on Russian Su-30SM fighter jets. As part of its improvements, Russia has replaced earlier AL-31F engines with the AL-41F-1S engine, which is also used in the Su-35S. Russia is eager that India replace its older AL-31F engines with the AL-41F-1S engine as part of its Su-30 upgrade programme.
Compared to AL-31F, the AL-41F-1S engine provides 16% greater full post-combustion. In addition, it decreases maintenance costs by doubling the time between revisions, which is currently 4,000 hours. Other enhancements and plasma ignition made it more fuel-efficient, hence reducing its consumption of fuel.
The latest integrated multi-channel communication, data exchange, navigation, and identification (OSNOD) system designed for the Su-57 will be installed on the Su-30SM2s. HAL has designed an all-Indian systems and subsystems upgrade package for about 150 Su-30MKIs in order to maintain its technological relevance till 2040.
