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Multirole fighter, air superiority fighterRussia / India · 2002 — present · Active

Sukhoi Su-30 MKI

Flanker-H

The heavyweight workhorse of the IAF fleet.

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Model Su-30 MKI by 3D Crafty, licensed CC-BY-NC-ND-4.0

Overview

About the MKI

A twin-seat, twin-engine, thrust-vectoring 4.5-gen fighter. Over 260 airframes make the Su-30 MKI the numerical and operational backbone of Indian air power, license-built by HAL at Nashik.

History

Service history

Developed jointly by Sukhoi and HAL to Indian specifications, first inducted in 2002. Continually upgraded — the ongoing Super Sukhoi programme adds AESA radar, Virupaksha radar, and new EW suites.

Armament

Weapons loadout

  • BrahMos-A supersonic cruise missile
  • Astra Mk-1 / Mk-2 BVRAAM
  • R-77 / R-73 air-to-air missiles
  • Kh-31 / Kh-59 stand-off missiles
  • 30mm GSh-30-1 cannon
  • Up to 8,000 kg external stores
Highlights

Combat edge

01

Thrust-vectoring nozzles for post-stall maneuvering

02

Only IAF fighter cleared for BrahMos-A

03

Combat radius > 1,500 km on internal fuel

04

License-built in India by HAL