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SOURCE: AFI

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At the Zhuhai Airshow 2024, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) showcased its latest advancement in electronic warfare (EW) capabilities with the first public appearance of the J-15D EW fighter jet. Developed by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, the J-15D signifies China’s growing focus on enhancing its carrier-based EW and multirole operations, joining the fleet alongside the recently revealed J-15T multirole fighter.

The introduction of the J-15D demonstrates China’s commitment to modernizing its naval aviation and bridging the technological gap with advanced EW platforms like the U.S. Navy’s EA-18G Growler. Meanwhile, the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) pursuit of a similar platform based on the Su-30MKI platform remains stalled, leaving critical gaps in its EW capabilities.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has long acknowledged the importance of dedicated EW platforms for modern air operations, particularly to counter advanced air defenses and support strike missions. Discussions between the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), and the IAF have explored the development of an EW variant of the Su-30MKI—dubbed the “Desi Growler”. However, progress has been limited due to a lack of consensus and resource prioritization.

An EW-capable Su-30MKI could provide jamming support to strike formations, increasing survivability in contested environments. Equipped with state-of-the-art EW systems, the aircraft could detect and neutralize adversary radar and communications, giving the IAF an edge in modern air warfare.

By integrating EW capabilities with the Su-30MKI, the IAF could create a robust platform to complement its existing fleet and reduce dependency on foreign systems.

For India, the J-15D serves as a reminder of the growing gap in EW capabilities between the PLAN and the IAF. The lack of a dedicated EW escort platform limits the effectiveness of Indian strike packages in high-threat environments. As modern air combat evolves to include electronic dominance, developing an indigenous solution like the Su-30MKI EW variant becomes increasingly urgent.

For the IAF, this development serves as a wake-up call to expedite its own EW modernization efforts. The proposed Su-30MKI-based EW platform holds the potential to bridge the capability gap, enabling India to maintain a credible airpower advantage in the region. However, achieving this will require a focused push from policymakers, defense scientists, and the aviation industry to bring the “Desi Growler” from concept to reality.