Indian Defense
Russia Will Upgrade Its Su-30SM To The ‘Super-Sukhoi’ Standard
The Russian Defence Ministry gave the green light to the Su-30SM upgrade program, an aircraft that has been deployed in large numbers in the Air Force and Naval Aviation, to bring it to the SM2 version or as the Russian press calls it, Super Sukhoi.
As published by Izvestia, the modernization of the first prototype will begin in December this year, and by the same date next year, that first Su-30SM2 should be finishing the testing and certification campaign. With the update, aircraft will receive new engines, radars and smart weapons.
At the same time as successive batches of Su-30SM are upgraded to the new version, the Ministry of Defence will receive factory-new Sukhoi Su-30SM2s. Perhaps it is the 21 new Su-30SM2 fighters, contracted last year by the Ministry of Defence for Naval Aviation.
Originally, the Su-30SM is the «Russified» version of the Sukhoi Su-30MKI developed for India, in which equipment of foreign origin is replaced by other of Russian origin. During these last years, the effort to modernize the Air Force and Naval Air Force focused on the incorporation of the Su-30SM to replace already obsolete aircraft, such as the Su-27 or Su-24.
The series aircraft began to be delivered in 2013, and it is the only fighter model that Russia has been buying in fairly consistent numbers. Currently, there are around 130 units of this model in operation, hence the importance of its modernization.
Belarusian Su-30SM.The Su-30SM also ended up becoming the de facto standard for arming Russia’s closest allies. The planes were purchased by Kazakhstan, Belarus and Armenia. At the MAKS 2021 show, ROSTEC confirmed that it will go ahead with the plans to acquire 6 Su-30SMs by Myanmar, despite the coup that disrupted political power in the Asian country.
The Super Sukhoi Su-30SM2
The upgraded version of the Su-30SM will not only have improved combat features but will also use various parts and equipment from the Su-35. As a result, the maintenance of a large fleet of both types of modern fighters will be simplified. This is especially important in relation to engines, the most expensive aircraft components.
The Su-30SM2 will receive the AL-41F-1S engine, which is also used in the Su-35S. Compared to the power plant used so far in the Su-30SM, its thrust will increase by more than 16%, to 14,500 kg at full post-combustion. In addition, it reduces the cost of maintenance, by doubling the interval between revisions, now reaching 4 thousand hours. Other improvements and plasma ignition made it more efficient, reducing its fuel consumption.
Changes to onboard electronics and software will allow the use of new missiles and bombs designed to arm the Su-35 and the fifth-generation Su-57 stealth fighter.
Other improvements include a new radar, the Irbis-E, a powerful PESA-type radar also inherited from the Su-35. It will allow the Su-30SM2 to detect ground and air targets from a greater distance, with certain anti-stealth capabilities. It will also allow the fighter to use the latest long-range missiles.
The Su-30SM2s will receive the latest integrated multi-channel communication, data exchange, navigation, and identification (OSNOD) system, developed for the Su-57 and to be installed on all combat aircraft. Among its advantages, it allows aircraft and drones to communicate with each other, maintain high-speed contact with ground control points, and integrate into modern combat networks.
Indian Defense
INS Arihant’s Nuke-Capable K-4 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile ‘Ready To Roll’
The solid-fuelled K-4 missile is being developed by DRDO to arm the country’s nuclear-powered submarines in the shape of INS Arihant and its under-development sister vessels. INS Arihant, which became fully operational in November 2018 to complete India’s nuclear triad, is currently armed with the much shorter K-15 missiles with a 750 km range.
“The K-4 is now virtually ready for its serial production to kick-off. The two tests have demonstrated its capability to emerge straight from underwater and undertake its parabolic trajectory,” said a source.
India has the land-based Agni missiles, with the over 5,000-km Agni-V inter-continental ballistic missile now in the process of being inducted, and fighter jets jury-rigged to deliver nuclear weapons. But INS Arihant gives the country’s deterrence posture much more credibility because nuclear-powered submarines armed with nuclear-tipped missiles are considered the most secure, survivable and potent platforms for retaliatory strikes.
Once the K-4 missiles are inducted, they will help India narrow the gap with countries like the US, Russia and China, which have over 5,000-km range SLBMs. The K-4 missiles are to be followed by the K-5 and K-6 missiles in the 5,000-6,000 km range class.
The 6,000-ton INS Arihant, which is propelled by an 83 MW pressurised light-water reactor at its core, in turn, is to be followed by INS Arighat, which was launched in 2017. The next generation of nuclear submarines, currently called S-4 and S-4*, will be much larger in size.
Indian Defense
After Upgradation, Sukhoi Su-30MKI Indigenisation To Reach 78%
India has received clearance to upgrade 84 Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets, which will result in 78% indigenization after the upgrade
In a significant step towards bolstering its military might with indigenously developed technology, India is poised to witness its Russian-origin Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets evolve into a domestic platform. Speaking at a recent lecture.
The upgrade program is being led by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in partnership with the Indian Air Force and other partners. The upgrade is expected to cost US$7.5 billion.
This initiative is a part of a larger effort by the Indian Air Force to modernize its ageing fleet. Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari asserted the critical role of an offensive air force as demonstrated in current global conflicts and emphasized India’s move towards an indigenized arsenal. To this end, the IAF has been proactive, from upgrading its Mirage 2000 to enhancing its MiG-29 fleet.
In summary, the IAF’s commitment to updating their combat forces with the latest technology, including shifting to fifth-generation fighter jets, ensures operational preparedness and a strong deterrence capability. The gradual indigenization of its air fleet marks a pivotal shift in India’s defence landscape, reducing dependency on foreign imports and fostering technological sovereignty.
Indian Defense
Akash Weapon System Exports For The Armenian Armed Forces Gathers Pace
According to unconfirmed reports, Armenia is a top contender for an export order for Akash SAM system manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).
The Akash export version will also be slightly different from the one inducted by the armed forces. The 100-km range air-to-air Astra missiles, now entering production after successful trials from Sukhoi-30MKI fighters, also have “good export potential”, said sources.
Akash is a “tried, tested and successfully inducted systems”. Indian armed forces have ordered Akash systems worth Rs 24,000 crore over the years, and MoD inked a contract in Mar 2023 of over Rs 9,100 crores for improved Akash Weapon System
BDL is a government enterprise under the Ministry of Defence that was established in 1970. BDL manufactures surface-to-air missiles and delivers them to the Indian Army. BDL also offers its products for export.
Akash Weapon System
The AWS is a Short Range Surface to Air Missile (SRSAM) Air Defence System, indigenously designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). In order to meet aerial threats, two additional Regiments of AWS with Upgradation are being procured for Indian Army for the Northern borders. Improved AWS has Seeker Technology, Reduced Foot Print, 360° Engagement Capability and improved environmental parameters.
The project will give a boost to the Indian missile manufacturing industry in particular and the indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem as a whole. The project has overall indigenous content of 82% which will be increased to 93% by 2026-27.
The induction of the improved AWS into the Indian Army will increase India’s self-reliance in Short Range Missile capability. This project will play a role in boosting the overall economy by avoiding outgo of precious foreign exchange to other countries, increasing employment avenues in India and encouraging Indian MSMEs through components manufacturing. Around 60% of the project cost will be awarded to the private industry, including MSMEs, in maintaining the supply chain of the weapon system, thereby creating large scale of direct and indirect employment.
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