March 23, 2015 by Shiv Aroor - Livefist
 

Intensifying since the turn of the new year, you couldn't possibly have missed the roar of AL-31s in all talk of India's turbulent final dash for a Rafale jet deal. It's unmissable. The fact that the Su-30 MKI was pushed into the M-MRCA conversation by none other than India's defence minister ensured the notion strengthened quickly, unscathed by intrigue and rumours. And then, it exploded.
 

On the evening of December 30, when Manohar Parrikar suggested to reporters that 'additional Su-30s' could save the IAF in the event that 'complications'-ridden negotiations with Dassault Aviation for 126 Rafale fighters didn't end in a purchase contract. That the seed of the idea came from the proverbial horse's mouth, and not South Block hearsay, gave it furious immediacy.

The suggestion caught the Indian Air Force completely off guard, flying as it did in the face of an unusually defiant stance the IAF leadership had decided on in 2012 about there being 'no Plan-B' in the event that the Rafale failed. But this time, the IAF resisted an immediate rebuttal. This was, after all, the Defence Minister who had weighed in. But what truly unnerved the IAF -- and several planners within the MoD -- was that Parrikar had gone out on a limb less than two months after being handpicked as Defence Minister. His specific comments on the negotiations revealed three things: One, that he'd hit the ground running and was fully abreast of the negotiations and where they were stuck. Two, that he was fully willing to question for the first time the presupposition both within the MoD (and especially the IAF) that there would was likely to be extended turbulence, but a deal would finally be signed. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, it showed that Parrikar has been empowered by the PM to lead decision-making on a deal that's so large that it has everything to do with the political leadership, and little to do with the act of hardware procurement.

But there was blood in the water that couldn't be ignored. If Parrikar's pre-New Year comment sparked a fire, he pretty much flung a barrel of gasoline at it two weeks later when in an interview to Karan Thapar on Headlines Today, he said in response to a question on the possibility of the Rafale deal not working out, "Sukhoi-30 choice is always there. What I mean to say is: upgrade the Sukhoi-30, make it more capable."

The latch-on was instantaneous. Hours after Parrikar's comments were broadcast, Russian think-tank the Center for Analysis of World Arms Trade declared on Jan 13 that India's potential choice of more Russian Su-30 MKIs instead of Rafales would "advantageous to the country’s air force in terms of cost, tactical and technical characteristics of the plane and a series of other reasons". For good measure, the Russians stoked France's controversial hold-back of Mistral-class amphibious intended for Russia. The example had been broached before, but Moscow really ground it in this time.

A month later, Livefist learns, a concerted effort was made by Russia's mission & trade office in New Delhi to pull India's External Affairs Ministry into the conversation. The specifics of what was on the table isn't fully known. A curious Russian media report quotes junior minister in the MEA, former Army chief, Gen (Retd.) Vijay Kumar Singh as having said that the Su-30 was cheaper than the Rafale and more reliable.

In February, with the Su-30 vs. Rafale debate stewing for nearly two months to the consternation of Dassault, IAF chief Arup Raha was fairly buttonholed into saying, "There's M-MRCA and there's Sukhoi-30. The requirements are slightly different. And they have their own capabilities. They compliment each other but do not replace each other." A statement, it was immediately clear, that practically subverted what the Defence Minister had suggested.

At Aero India 2015, where the IAF chief made that comment, the spotlight also shined on friction between Sukhoi and the IAF over the unexplained seat ejection that caused the type's fifth accident last year. The Russians weren't happy. "When we are wrong, we will say so. When the Indian pilot is wrong, the IAF should not be shy to admit that," an irritated UAC officer told me at the time.

Dassault Aviation and the French government were always prepared for rumblings of power-play and suggestive pressure from the Indian MoD, but the speed at which the conversation heated up caught all involved by surprise. For Dassault, it would now be fighting on two fronts -- one with a confident new government that promised quick action either way. And two, with the Russians, India's largest supplier of military hardware, practically invited into the tense last lap of the M-MRCA fight by the Indian MoD. The French Defence Minister, who visited Delhi last month for the second time in less than two months, didn't bring up the Su-30 MKI. The French didn't have a direct play, political or otherwise. It was felt that things were too delicate at the negotiations table to poke at something that was, Paris understood, a direct message that India wasn't going to budge on final sticking points. Informed that it needed to work on a joint liability matrix with HAL for the license build programme, Dassault decided to bide its time.

Of course, by this time, plenty of journalism in India, Russia and France -- and the furious online military aviation subculture -- had gotten the Rafale and Su-30 to dogfight on paper. It wasn't until March that France's patience cashed out. It was a veritable neutron bomb on the Su-30's two month supercruise through arms & diplomatic circles, and even the French couldn't have expected such a break: a statement by Defence Minister Parrikar himself that the Su-30 fleet had serious problems.

For Dassault and the French government, the new conversation was 

Here's the latest state of play:

1. Russia smells real blood. Through their Trade Office and the Embassy, an existing conversation about additional numbers of the Su-30 & upgrades of earlier units has been re-energised with the additional sweetener of a markedly higher degree of local content and sourcing on any additional Su-30s India may choose to license build in Nashik.
2. Livefist can confirm that Russia has also offered India the Su-35 'Super Flanker', but kept the details open. The type is officially on the table now with Russia inviting India to help configure a Su-35 'MKI'.
3. Russia is attempting to contain the twin damage of (a) information about engine trouble and fleet availability. Rosoboronexport has begun discussions with the IAF and HAL. And (b) the issue of the mysterious seat ejections. Both sides have decided to sort out the issue cordially and in private. It doesn't want to lose the momentum it received from the initial suggestion that more Su-30s could cushion the potential collapse of the M-MRCA.
4. Dassault and HAL are currently working at a furious pace to have something to show to the MoD in the next one week, though it remains unlikely that there will be anything for Prime Minister Modi & President Hollande to announce next week in Paris.
5. On March 18, Defence Minister Parrikar said, "They have to tell us whether they can do it or not. Can’t keep waiting."

06.02.2015 by Rostec

The modernization of equipment for the Su-30MKI will be discussed at Aero India-2015

During the international exhibition in Bangalore, India, United Instrument Manufacturing Corporation will present promising developments in aviation radio communications, which may be of interest to Asian partners.

The Aero India-2015 exhibition will be held from February 18-22. During this time, planned meetings will take place with representatives from the Indian Air Force and aircraft manufactures from the corporation Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The sides will discuss the possibility of upgrading the communication equipment of the Su-30MKI Indian fighter jets and also outfitting Russian-Indian aircraft such as the FGFA fighter jet and the MTA transport aircraft with communication equipment.

“Our Asian partners immediately expressed interest in several models of Russian technology,” said Sergey Skokov, Deputy CEO of UIMC. “First of all, we have one of our latest developments for export, the S-112 aviation communication system, which provides a new level of data transmission efficiency. In addition, we are presenting in India the NKVS-27 system for multi-voice communication and information exchange between command posts and tactical aircraft.”

Since 2006, Polyot Research & Production Company, a subsidiary of UIMC, has manufactured the NKVS-27 system for foreign customers with Russian planes in the inventory. India may also be interested in acquiring the system for communication between aircraft command points and the Su-30MKI fighter jets, the Ka-31 helicopters, and the FGFA and MTA airplanes.

During the Aero India-2015 exhibition, the corporation will also present the on-board S-404 communication system developed by Polyot Research & Production Company, which features an integrated antenna system designed for the Ka-62 helicopter and other types of civilian aircraft. In comparison with similar products, the system has improved quality and range of communication. The system adheres to all international standards regarding radio communication equipment, including signal reception for selective calls. Its military modification provides anti-jamming protection and encryption of data and voice information on both the hardware and software levels.

The AT-E aviation information exchange terminal, also developed by ,  Polyot Research & Production Company will also be presented at the exhibition. This terminal solves problems related to communication, navigation, identification, and management of various branches of the armed forces, particularly in relation to aviation. The terminal utilizes information exchange network technology, and its characteristics correspond with all similar products (such as JTIDS/MIDS system terminals) utilized by the armies of both the USA and NATO.

The international aerospace exhibition Aero India has been held in Bangalore since 1996. Traditionally, it hosts leading representatives of the aerospace industry. In 2013, over 300 companies from 50 countries attended the exhibition.

MOSCOU, 21 janvier - RIA Novosti

Le premier tir d'essai d'un missile russo-indien BrahMos depuis un chasseur indien Sukhoi Su-30MKI se tiendra en mars prochain, a annoncé mercredi à Moscou Alexandre Dergatchev, PDG adjoint de l'entreprise Mashinostroyenie, concepteur russe du missile.

"Nous avons lancé les essais en vol du chasseur Su-30MKI avec une maquette du missile BrahMos. Les pilotes s'entraînent à effectuer certains éléments de décollage et d'atterrissage. Le premier tir d'essai du missile depuis l'avion est programmé pour mars 2015", a indiqué M.Dergatchev.

Selon lui, deux avions modernisés Su-30MKI participent aux tests.

L'armée de l'air indienne se dotera d'avions Su-30MKI équipés de missiles BrahMos en 2016 conformément au contrat russo-indien.

Utilisé par l'armée indienne depuis 2005, BrahMos est un missile de croisière supersonique à propergol solide pesant 2,55 tonnes. Sa version originale est longue de 8,3 mètres pour 0,67 m de diamètre. Doté d'une ogive de 200 à 300 kg, le BrahMos est capable de neutraliser les cibles à une distance de 290 km. L'Inde a déjà testé ses versions terrestre et navale et compte en équiper les chasseurs Su-30MKI.

BrahMos est un acronyme composé des premières syllabes du fleuve indien Brahmapoutre et de la rivière russe Moskova.

MOSCOW, October 16 (RIA Novosti)

Russia’s state arms export monopoly has signed a $1 billion deal package with Angola to deliver military equipment, build an ammunition plant and provide maintenance services, Vedomosti business daily reported Wednesday.

Rosoboronexport will supply 18 Su-30K fighter jets to the southern African nation, the daily said, citing sources at the arms exports company and the Russian military.

The Su-30K fighters in question are a batch of aircraft that were initially supplied to India in the late 1990s, prior to Delhi receiving the more advanced multirole Su-30MKI variant. They were returned to Russia in 2007, Vedomosti said, and have since lain idle in a Belarusian repair plant.

They had previously been offered to Belarus, Sudan and Vietnam.

Also on the list are Mi-17 transport helicopters, tanks, artillery, firearms and ammunition, the newspaper said.

Rosoboronexport will conduct maintenance for Russian-made military equipment used by the Angolan military, the report said.

Rosoboronexport and the Russian Defense Ministry have made no official comment on the alleged deals, which Vedomosti said were signed last week during Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin’s trip to Angola, Russia’s geopolitical ally since the Soviet era.

July 10, 2013 irdw.org (PNA/Itar-Tass)

The BrahMos Aerospace plans to make the first test-launch of a BrahMos missile from the Indian fighter Su-30MKI in 2014, BrahMos Aerospace Executive Director from Russia Alexander Maksichev told reporters on Sunday.

“The works to create an air-to-ground BrahMos missile are under way. On the one hand, the upgrading of the fighter Su-30MKI for the missile continues, these works are on in India.

Meanwhile, the adaptation of the missile to the warplane is nearing completion. We hope that first flight tests will begin this year, still probably with a prototype of the missile. In 2014 we plan to make a first test launch of a real missile from the warplane,” the Russian director of the company said.

Sukhoi Su-30 multirole fighter aircraft

MINSK, May 16 (RIA Novosti)

Russia is to put up for sale a batch of 18 Sukhoi Su-30 multirole fighter aircraft, rejected by India on concerns about their engines and returned to Russia in 2003, a defense official said on Wednesday.

"The 18 Su-30s previously used by India and then returned, are in an aviation repair plant in Belarus and are on sale to potential buyers," said Alexander Fomin, deputy director of the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation. He added that the aircraft could be modernized before being sold on.

The Su-30MKI is India's lead fighter aircraft, and around 140 have been produced under license by HAL Aeronautics in India. The Indian Air Force is expected to buy a total of around 280 during the next decade.

Development of the Su-30 began in the 1980s for the Soviet Armed Forces, based on the Su-27UB conversion trainer.

The first batch of 18 Su-30s delivered to India were Su-30MK and Su-30K standard, and were built to a lower specification than the later Su-30MKI. This meant that they did not have thrust-vectoring engine nozzles or canard foreplanes, enabling extra maneuverability.

Their avionics systems were also built to a lower specification than the later Su-30MKIs built by HAL, which included a high level of Israeli and French-built systems.

29 novembre 2011 par Daniel Favre – INFO-AVIATION

Le 23 novembre, le ministre indien d’État à la Défense Shri PallamRaju MM a évoqué les livraisons de Su-30 devant les parlementaires, en expliquant à la fois l’historique du projet, et les réponses de fabrication de HAL. Jusqu’à présent, il a déclaré que « Sur un total de 180 avions, l’Inde a reçu 99 SU-30MKI en 2010-11″ (source : gouvernement indien).

Les chasseurs-bombardiers Su-30MKI sont la fierté de la flotte de l’Indian Air Force. Jusqu’à 230 exemplaires ont déjà été commandés en 3 étapes : 50 Su-30MK et MKIS commandés directement en 1996, 40 autres commandés directement en 2007, et une construction sous licence avec HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited), qui veut produire jusqu’à 140 avions supplémentaires de 2013 à 2017.

Les avions Su-30 sont performants et les équipages sont très bien formés comme ils l’ont montré à l’exercice Red Flag américain en 2008, ainsi qu’à l’exercice Indra Dhanush en 2007 où ils avaient gagné le respect de la RAF.

L’Inde développe aussi le programme TEJAS LCA pour combler ses besoins en avions de combat bas de gamme, et prévoit 10 milliards de dollars dans l’appel d’offre MMRCA qui vise à s’équiper d’avions de combat de 5e génération.

Mais l’Inde ne néglige pas l’avion de combat haut de gamme. Ses avions initiaux Su-30MK et MKI ont tous été mis à niveau vers la version Su-30MKI Phase 3, et l’Inde n’est pas l’intention de s’arrêter là. Des informations concordantes indiquent que l’achat d’une autre version SU-30MKI serait à l’étude, avec un programme de modernisation « Super 30″ des avions actuellement en service. Reste que HAL doit répondre à ces objectifs de production, et la tâche est rude.