Big Plans for SU-30MKI Fighter Jets: Major Upgrades Await Indian Air Force Fleet

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is gearing up for a massive upgrade of its SU-30MKI fighter jets. According to senior officials, once financial details are settled and the government gives its approval, the process of upgrading 84 jets will begin. It could take 5 to 7 years to fully upgrade the first batch, but pilot projects using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to optimize engine performance and inventory are already in progress with IIT-Mumbai.

Air Marshal C.R. Mohan, ahead of his retirement, shared insights about the project. He explained that if the government clears the upgrade early next year, work would begin immediately. He emphasized the scale of the upgrade, saying it includes modifications, testing, and certifications which could take years to fully implement. The Defence Acquisition Council has already given the green light for the initial phase, which focuses on 84 jets out of the 259 SU-30MKIs currently in the IAF’s fleet.

What makes this upgrade special is the push for indigenous solutions, with 78% of the 51 systems to be upgraded sourced within India. Russia, the original manufacturer of the jets, will still play a role, helping with systems like the fly-by-wire technology. With these upgrades, the SU-30MKIs will remain a critical part of the IAF’s strength until 2055 and beyond.

AI will also play a significant role in maintaining the jets. The IAF, in partnership with IIT-Mumbai, is exploring AI-driven inventory management systems. This includes “digital fingerprinting” parts to optimize inventory, identifying identical parts with different part numbers, and even using AI to scan digital drawings of entire inventories to reduce stock. This effort aims to bring big savings, especially once the tri-services inventory is integrated.

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