Advertisement

SU-30 MKIs
(click to view full)

Russia’s SU-27/30 Flanker family fighters were invented in the 1980s and 1990s, and attempted to incorporate the lessons from America’s “teen series” fighters (F-14, F-15, F-16, F/A-18) into their designs. They were successful, and India’s Air Force may now be flying the world’s second best air superiority fighter in the SU-30MKI. Meanwhile, the USA is creating “5th generation” fighters like the F-22A Raptor that offer full stealth, supermaneuverability, an advanced AESA radar, huge computing power that creates a single “sensor fusion” picture from the plane’s array of embedded sensors and datalinks, and the ability to “supercruise” above Mach 1 instead of just making short supersonic dashes. To a lesser extent, there’s also the cheaper F-35 Lightning II, with some stealth, a smaller AESA radar, sensor fusion, and even more sensors embedded around the aircraft.

Russia’s MiG 1.44 (if indeed it was a real project?) and/or “I-21” type aircraft were an attempt to keep up, but lack of funds suspended both efforts. The obvious solution is a foreign partner, but Europe had limited funds and its own 4+ generation projects in the Rafale and Eurofighter. India has a longstanding Russian defense relationship, and from their point of view a joint development agreement is one way to restrict Russian cooperation with China along similar lines. See Vijiander K Thakur’s “Understanding IAF interest in the MiG fifth generation fighter” for more on the proposal to cooperate with MiG.

In the end, however, the cooperation agreement was signed with Sukhoi/United Aircraft Corporation instead, and the platform will be based on Sukhoi’s T50/PAK-FA design. For the specific releases and coverage to date, and analysis of the program’s current state and future hurdles, DID offers this Spotlight article. The latest development is a research opinion from Forecast International, which suggests that the duo may face difficulties securing early export or partnership commitments…

• Key Events & Reports [updated]
• DID Analysis: Under Pressure
• Additional Readings

Stay on top of DII's coverage of India and Russia's fighter aircraft development, when you subscribe to DII. Our cross-linked article network and reference materials include:

• Discussion of project goals to produce a "fifth-generation" fighter jet. Will it be a plane on par with the F-22A Raptor or F-35 Lightning II, or just an improved SU-30?
• What's been signed: a protocol outlining a 'new strategic relationship,' to include more frequent joint exercises and greater R&D cooperation
• What's awaiting a final deal: a review of details known about the base aircraft, final design, and funding resources, and a test flight plan for Sukhoi's PAK FA
• Additional articles from the DII library: "Costs & Time Kill Full SU-30MKI Production in India," "India's MMRCA Fighter Competition," "Hardball Sales: Russia Forcing India out of Taijikistan?," "India's Defense Budget Rises 7%, to $20.11 Bn," "Stuck in Sichuan: Pakistani JF-17 Program Grounded? No.," and more
• 5 photos

Subscribe now to the Defense Industry Insider. DII covers hundreds of defense procurement programs, and gives thousands of links, expert analysis and the latest industry news.

 

Already a member? Login