IRKUT Corporation has started delivery of the third phase multifunctional two-seat fighter Su-30MKI to the Indian Air Force. Thus, IRKUT together with SUKHOI Design Bureau, RPKB, NIIP, Saturn and other companies participating in cooperation on the project, are completing fulfillment of contract signed with Indian Ministry of Defence in November 1996. Certification of the third phase Su-30MKI was successfully accomplished on

The Su-30MKI equipped with a phased array radar and an engine with thrust vector control (TVC) is currently the only aircraft of this level in the world being under series production.

The contract with the Indian Air Force provided for delivery of the Su-30MKI fighters developed by SUKHOI Design Bureau in the period from 2002 to 2004. The contract was split into three phases.  Ahead of contract terms and in contrast to the Su-30K aircraft delivered before, the first phase Su-30MKI was equipped with canards and TVC. The first phase aircraft were mostly intended for fighting aerial targets.

At the second phase, the fighter was upgraded to apply the Kh-31A missile and simultaneous attack of four aerial targets by guided air-to-air missiles. Besides, additional radar modes were introduced including the digital map mode and application of a long range TV-guided missile Kh-59M.

The third phase Su-30MKI fully implements all navigation and combat modes according to contract commitments. The fighter is capable of employment of the whole nomenclature of aerial weapons, including simultaneous attack of up to 4 targets by guided missiles into front and rear hemispheres, corrected aerial bombs 500 and 1500 kg with designation from laser designation pos. all aerial weapons can be applied with designation from the radar. The third phase aircraft ensures simultaneous operation on a surface target with retention of air space search and attack of an aerial target as well as group action mode. Su-30MKI radar, the N-011 designed by NIIP named after Tikhomirov, is equipped with an antenna with phased array and ensures simultaneous tracking of up to 15 targets and attack of up to 4 targets, in the free space and against earth background, as well as surface mapping with high, medium and low resolution.

Further more, according to contract requirements, the third phase Su-30MKI implements all navigation and combat employment modes including launch of weapons in the supermaneuverability mode. Su-30MKI supermaneuverability is ensured due to outstanding aerodynamics and application of the AL-31FP engine with TVC developed by Saturn Corporation. Unique aerodynamics and TVC considerably improve safety of flight in all modes, prevent spin stalling and provide a critical advantage in the close combat. The first TVC engine in the world under series production, the AL-31FP complies with international standards for fighter engines and has no equivalent in Russiain terms of its life time performance (MTBO – 1000h, assigned life – 2000h, nozzle MTBO – 500h).

Su-30MKI avionics is integrated in a suite that provides implementation of navigation and combat employment tasks. The main avionics systems (including the mission computer) were developed by the Ramenskoye Design Bureau (RPKB). Besides, RPKB was responsible for integration of avionics and development of corresponding software. Maintenance and mission planning are provided through a ground suite Sapfir of RPKB..

The whole work on integration of avionics and weapons was conducted with participation of an India Air Force Project Team working in Moscowon a permanent basis.

Within the frames of developing cooperation with the Indian Air Force, IRKUT is actively participating in the implementation of a contract signed in December 200, for licensed prduction of the Su-30MKI fighters in Indiaat Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) facilities. Presently, two first Su-30MKI of HAL are undergoing flight trials in the city of Nasik. According to the contract that reaches through 2017, the Indian Side is manufacturing the Su-30MKI including engines, aircraft systems and avionics.