Platform profile · India · Multirole air-superiority fighter · Indian Air Force
HAL is reported to be restarting Su-30MKI production at Nashik for 12 attrition-replacement aircraft as a two-phase fleet upgrade — reportedly about ₹60,000 crore, centred on an India-made radar — takes shape at the same facility; BrahMos integration continues to expand across the fleet.
On 25 June 2026, BrahMos Aerospace said around 40 IAF Su-30MKIs had been integrated with the air-launched BrahMos, while a May 2026 request for proposal for anti-jamming navigation antennas moved the Super-30 upgrade into another concrete subsystem phase. The Defence Acquisition Council approved overhaul of Su-30 engine aggregates on 27 March 2026, while the indigenous Super-30 programme for an initial 84 aircraft was still awaiting final Cabinet Committee on Security clearance in February 2026. India also has 12 new HAL-built aircraft under a December 2024 contract and 240 replacement AL-31FP engines under an eight-year support programme. As the IAF's largest fighter fleet and its principal BrahMos carrier, the Su-30MKI remains central to long-range operations against both Pakistani and Chinese threats.
Updated 7 days ago Updated 10 Aug 2026
Verified figures
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Crew | 2 persons ↗ |
| Dimensions | 21.94 m length × 14.70 m wingspan × 6.375 m height ↗ |
| Internal fuel | 9,640 kg ↗ |
| Powerplant | 2 × AL-31FP thrust-vectoring turbofans; 12,500 kgf afterburning thrust each ↗ |
| Maximum speed | 2,175 km/h at high altitude; 1,350 km/h at low altitude ↗ |
| Maximum range | 3,000 km ↗ |
| External warload | 8,000 kg ↗ |
| Cannon and hardpoints | 1 × 30 mm GSh-301 cannon with 150 rounds; 12 external hardpoints ↗ |
| Super-30 radar (planned) | Virupaksha gallium-nitride AESA radar ↗ |
| 2024 aircraft procurement package | ₹135 billion for 12 aircraft and associated equipment ↗ |
Spec sources: redstar.gr ↗ · brahmos.com ↗ · newindianexpress.com ↗
Changelog
Media reports said HAL will restart Su-30MKI production at Nashik to build 12 attrition-replacement aircraft with over 50 per cent indigenous content — first delivery in 2027-28 and all 12 by 2029 — while a two-phase fleet upgrade at the same facility, centred on an India-made radar and reportedly worth about ₹60,000 crore, is planned with DRDO and private-sector participation.
BrahMos Aerospace said around 40 Su-30MKI fighters had been integrated with the air-launched BrahMos, whose extended-range version was reported at nearly 450 km.
The Ministry of Defence issued an RFP for 300 anti-jamming and anti-spoofing multi-constellation navigation antennas, plus 50 field testers and 10 base testers, for the Su-30MKI fleet under the wider Super-30 programme.
The Defence Acquisition Council granted Acceptance of Necessity for overhaul of Su-30 aero-engine aggregates to extend aircraft service life and meet IAF operational requirements.
Reporting confirmed that the 84-aircraft Super-30 programme still awaited Cabinet Committee on Security clearance while the IAF considered a parallel Russian-assisted upgrade for approximately 175 other aircraft.
HAL said the Su-30MKI had received 100 India-led modifications and identified BrahMos integration as one of the most significant additions.
The Ministry of Defence awarded HAL a ₹135 billion contract for 12 Su-30MKIs and associated equipment, with 62.6% indigenous content and production at Nashik.
The Ministry of Defence signed a contract worth more than ₹26,000 crore for HAL to manufacture 240 AL-31FP engines at 30 engines annually over eight years.
The Defence Acquisition Council granted Acceptance of Necessity for HAL to carry out an indigenous upgrade of the Su-30MKI fleet.
2 tagged stories
HAL will build 12 new Su-30MKIs at Nashik with over 50 per cent indigenous content, delivering by 2029, as the IAF's largest fighter fleet enters a two-phase upgrade built around an India-made radar, reportedly worth about ₹60,000 crore.
A sustainment milestone at Koraput underscores the depth of domestic engine MRO — and renews calls for a dedicated indigenous aero-engine mission before the AL-31FP line winds down.
