SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s proposal to carry out the Su-30MKI upgrade program might be soon heading to the conclusion this year as HAL as a nodal agency will be taking up the upgradation of the nearly 150 units that might require nearly $4 Billion in funding from IAF and MoD.
Jayadeva E.P, Director (Operations) at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) at the Investor meeting last year said that once HAL and the Indian Air Force (IAF) finalize equipment and systems that will be upgraded on 150 units of Sukhoi-30MKI. HAL will approach Russia for its approval of the Super Sukhoi program since it is the OEM of the product and many components and spares still come from Russia.
The Super Sukhoi will include a modernized cockpit. A major part of the upgrade also involves avionics and sensors that will bring it to a near fifth-generation level. HAL proposed Super Sukhoi program will have Uttam Mk3 AESA Fire Control Radar developed by DRDO’s LRDE, New Mission Computers, an Upgraded Cockpit by HAL, a New IRST system from BEL, and several other systems like LRUs from Indian vendors.
HAL will start testing many of the components that are to be included in the Super Sukhoi program from 2024 onwards and in multiple phases new systems will be incorporated into the Prototype that will be embarked on for the Super Sukhoi program. Tentative dates for full-scale upgradation might commence from 2027-28 onwards.
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