SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In a significant development, Armenia is seeking India’s assistance to upgrade its small fleet of Russian-built Su-30SM fighter jets. The move comes on the heels of Armenia’s growing defense ties with India, having recently ordered rocket systems, artillery guns, and weapon locating radars from the country. The upgrade is expected to involve modernizing the aircraft’s avionics, electronic warfare (EW) suites, and weapons, with the collaboration of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
Colonel Hovhannes Vardanyan, who leads Armenia’s Air Force Department, confirmed the country’s interest in upgrading its Su-30SM fighters with the help of HAL, citing the Indian aerospace giant’s considerable expertise. “We are looking at modernizing our Su-30s with the help of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) as it has a lot of expertise in the field,” Vardanyan stated.
This planned upgrade would enhance Armenia’s air defense capabilities, allowing its Su-30SM fighters to compete with modern threats. Armenia’s Su-30SMs, acquired from Russia, are a versatile platform capable of performing air superiority, ground attack, and reconnaissance missions. However, with the rapidly evolving nature of aerial combat and the increasing sophistication of adversarial technologies, Armenia’s Air Force recognizes the need to enhance its fighter jets’ operational capabilities.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) brings substantial experience to the table when it comes to Su-30 upgrades, having long been involved in the production, maintenance, and modernization of the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Su-30MKI fleet. The IAF’s Su-30MKIs are based on the Russian Su-30 platform, similar to Armenia’s Su-30SMs, but customized to meet Indian operational requirements. HAL has amassed considerable knowledge in upgrading these aircraft over the years, making it a natural partner for Armenia’s modernization efforts.
HAL’s work on the IAF’s Su-30MKI fleet includes enhancing avionics, integrating new weapons systems, and upgrading electronic warfare capabilities, all of which are key areas Armenia is targeting in its own Su-30SM upgrade. This partnership would ensure that Armenia benefits from India’s indigenous advancements in defense technology while leveraging HAL’s expertise.
India is in the process of upgrading its Su-30MKI fighters, a project led by HAL valued at approximately ?65,000 crore. The Indian Air Force’s Su-30MKIs are set to receive significant upgrades, including:
New Weapons: Integration of advanced air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons to boost the Su-30’s firepower.
Uttam AESA Radar: India’s indigenous active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, which will dramatically improve the aircraft’s detection and targeting capabilities.
Electronic Warfare Suites: Enhanced EW systems to provide better countermeasures against modern air-to-air and surface-to-air threats.
Avionics and Weapon Systems: Modernized weapon control systems and avionics for improved situational awareness and combat effectiveness.
These upgrades, aimed at keeping the Su-30MKI fleet combat-ready against contemporary threats, will serve as a benchmark for Armenia’s planned modernization. With similar upgrades in avionics, EW systems, and weapons, Armenia’s Su-30SMs could see a significant leap in capability, enhancing the operational readiness of the Armenian Air Force.
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