IAF's Su-30MKI fighter jets to be upgraded with 5th Gen technologies
19 Aug 2011
Moscow: India's air superiority Sukhoi-30MKI fighters will soon be upgraded to 'Super Sukhoi' status through fifth generation technologies, according to original equipment manufacturer, the Russian firm, Irkut Corporation.
The upgrade will include a new cockpit, upgraded radar and advanced stealth characteristics to make the plane less visible to enemy radar than the existing Indian Air Force (IAF) Sukhoi-30 fleet, Irkut's president and chairman, Alexey Fedorov, said at the Moscow Air Show here.
The IAF fleet is under licenced production at the Bangalore-based Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and the entire fleet will be upgraded to the 'Super Sukhoi' configuration.
"The upgrade will apply not only to the aircraft in service with the Indian Air Force (IAF) but also to those yet to be delivered to India and to be licence-manufactured by HAL," Fedorov said.
Strengthening of the airframe will also allow the Su-30MKI to carry a heavier weapon load, including two airborne versions of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, he added.
Fedorov said the 'Super Sukhoi' will be a potent aircraft similar in features to a fifth generation aircraft. However, he refused to provide specific details of the upgrade.
