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Take the airframe of a latest generation Russian plane like the Sukhoi Su-30, add some of the futuristic technologies developed for the next generation Russian fighter, use your own expertise in software and electronics and blend it with the best that the Western military electronics industry can offer - and what you get is the Su-30MKI, an aircraft which the Indian Air Force (IAF) likes to call an Air Dominance Fighter (ADF).
The Su-30MKI was officially inducted into IAF squadron service in late September at the Lohegaon Air Base in Western India. The aircraft will constitute the IAF's main multi-role strike fighter force for many years to come. The event is significant as it was the first new-generation aircraft to receive the IAF insignia in over a decade. Also of considerable importance is that the plane's avionics have been modified with a number of electronic components and sub-systems either developed in India or obtained from Western sources. In fact the "I" in the aircraft's designation stands for "Indian" - meaning an India-specific model which is an improvement over the standard Su30MK.
Requirements and Programme History
The Indian Air Force is among the most battle-ready forces in Asia. It has to be, with India-- Pakistan relations threatening to degenerate into war anytime. Even though both countries backed down from the brink of an armed conflict recently, there is no saying when things will reach boiling point again.
As the key strike arm of the Indian defence forces and provider of air support to ground and sea operations, the IAF has a particularly sensitive role to play. This is further reinforced by the current global strategic perception of air power as the dominating factor in any conflict.
The requirement which eventually led to the Su-30MKI programme was formulated in the early 1990s, when the IAF perceived a need for a new multi-role fighter with superlative air superiority and ground attack capabilities to top up its existing fleet of MiG-29s, MIRAGE 2000s, JAGUARs and older MiGs. The service thus began negotiating with Russia, its long term supplier, for the Su-30 which was by then enthralling crowds at air shows if not exactly shooting down enemy planes in combat. However, going by the experience of the IAF with...