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India’s Su-30MKI fighters to be equipped with new electronic warfare systems — newspaper

The new antennas will allow the Su-30MKI to simultaneously receive data from GPS, GLONASS, NaVIC, and other satellite systems to improve navigation accuracy and enhance the fighters’ combat operational performance

NEW DELHI, May 27. /TASS/. The Sukhoi Su-30MKI multirole fighters, the backbone of the Indian Air Force, will receive the latest electronic warfare systems as part of their modernization, The Times of India reported.

According to the newspaper report that cited the Indian Defense Ministry, the fighters are planned to be equipped with advanced multi-system GPS antennas that are resistant to jamming and have protection against false signals. The new antennas will allow the Su-30MKI to simultaneously receive data from GPS, GLONASS, NaVIC, and other satellite systems to improve navigation accuracy and enhance the fighters’ combat operational performance at altitudes of up to 21 km and at speeds of Mach 1.5. The Indian Defense Ministry expects to sign a contract with domestic manufacturers in 2026 for the supply of 300 GPS antennas within one year.

The Super Sukhoi modernization program, currently underway in India, is being implemented by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, a state-owned corporation, and the Indian Defense Research and Development Organization with support from the Russian original equipment manufacturer. Under the program, the Virupaksha airborne radars will be installed on the Su-30MKI fighter jets to increase their detection range by 50%. The cockpit will be equipped with a computer and digital displays to speed up data processing and exchange with long-range radar reconnaissance and guidance aircraft. The fighter jets will be armed with a variety of long-range missiles, including the Russian-Indian-produced BrahMos supersonic cruise missile.

The Indian Air Force intends to upgrade 84 Su-30MKI fighters in the initial phase, and nearly 200 more as the modernization program expands. This will extend their service life until the 2050s.