INDIA Sukhoi Su-30MKI (Su-30K and Su-30MKI), HAL Su-30MKI
Data update:	06.2010
Country / user:	Bharatiya Gararajya = Republic of India Bharatiya Vayu Sena = Indian Air Force (IAF)
In service:	Su-30K: 1997+ Su-30MKI: 2003+
Operational:	18 x Su-30K 42 x Su-30MKI about 24 x HAL Su-30MKI
Deliveries	Su-30K: - 1st batch 03-06.1997: 8 x Su-30MKI-I (=Su-30K) - 2st batch 1999: 10 x Su-30MKI-II (=Su-30K upgraded with french SAGEM avionics) Su-30MKI: - 3rd batch 2002: 10 x Su-30MKI-III (=Su-30MKI) - 4th batch 2003: 12 x Su-30MKI-III (=Su-30MKI) - 5th batch 2004: 10 x Su-30MKI-III (=Su-30MKI) HAL Su-30MKI: - 2004: 2 - 2005: about 6 - 2006: about 6 - 2007: about 6 - 2008: about 4 (05.2008 total about 24)
Manufacturer:	Irkutsk Aircraft Production Association (IAPO) Since 2004 Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
Contract for:	11.1996 for 40 x Su-30MKI; 12.1998 extended to 50 x Su-30MKI - finished. 12.2000: 140 x Su-30MKI on licence production in HAL - just realised. In 2007 new contract was signed for next licensed 40 Su-30MKI (worth $ 1.5 billion).
Units:	Lohegaon near Pune air base: - 20th Squadron "Lightnings" (3rd, 4th batch) - 30th Squadron "Rhinos" (5th batch) Bareilly air base: - 24th Squadron "Hawks" (1st, 2nd batch) - 8th Squadron "Pursoots" (HAL, since 2009) Tezpur air base since 10.2007 (temporarily?)
Bort numbers:	Su-30MKI-I: SB001, ..., SB008 Su-30MKI-II: SB009, ..., SB018 Su-30MKI-III: SB019, ..., SB050 HAL Su-30MKI: SB101 and so on ... HAL Su-30MKI: SB303 and so on ... (2010)

• All "indian" prototypes and serial Su-30 are manufactured by IAPO (Irkutsk Aircraft Production Association).
• Negotiations with India to supply aircrafts started in 1994. When India signed contract in 11.1996, Su-30MKI doesn't even exist. First prototype of the Su-30MKI (T10PMK-1; sometimes called Su-30I-1; bort number 01) was built 1996/1997 (converted from 8th serial russian Su-27PU/Su-30 bort number 56), the first flight performed by test pilot V. Avyeryanov on 07.1997. Second prototype (bort number 06) built in 12.1997 (T10PMK-6; converted from T10PU-6 - 2nd prototype of Su-27PU/Su-30, originally it was T10U-6 - 6th prototype of Su-27UB from 1988), first flight 03.1998. But first 18 indian Su-30K were based on prototype Su-30MK bort number 603. Modernization to really multirole Su-30MKI standard was scheduled for next few years, with gradual enhancement of avionics, engines and weapons. Prototypes were demonstrated to indian officials in Moskov in 04 (no. 01) and 06.1998 (no. 06), and 08.1998 presented during parade in Tushino.

  
  Sukhoi Su-30MK (ex. Su-27PU no. 596), 1994. In fact, prototype of first and second batch of indian Su-30. Camouflages and markings of all indian drawings are correct.

  
  First prototype of Sukhoi Su-30MKI, 1997.

  
  First prototype of Sukhoi Su-30MKI, 1998, repainted before Aero-India in Bangalore. In 06.1999 was destroyed during Le Bourget Air Show by V. Avyeryanov in spectacular crash during show. Avyeryanov and Vladimir Shendrik succesfuly ejected just three seconds before aircraft hit the ground.

  
  Second prototype of Sukhoi Su-30MKI, 1998.

  
  Second prototype of Sukhoi Su-30MKI, 2001, repainted.
  After crash of the first prototype in Le Bourget Air Show in 1999, this aircraft take a main part in state flight test.

• First (8) and second (10) batch, known in India as Su-30MKI-I and Su-30MKI-II, it's a simply interceptor fighter (in Russia called Su-30K - K for Commercial) with limited possibilities to attack ground targets. Delivered in 1997 and 1999 by An-124 planes.

  
  Sukhoi Su-30MKI (Su-30K from 1st batch), 1997.

• In 01.1998 Sukhois were presented to public during Republic Day. At last four Sukhois obtained in 1997/1998 special paintings, with colors of national flag.

  
  Sukhoi Su-30MKI (Su-30K from 1st batch), 1998 National Day.

• Production of real Su-30MKI started in Irkutsk in 2000. The first three preproduction planes were handed over to the Sukhoi Design Bureau and have been used to flying tests.

  
  1st preproduction (served as 3rd prototype) of Sukhoi Su-30MKI, built in 2000, serial number 19-07, first flight November 26th, 2000.
  First fully equiped (avionics from RPKB from Ramyenskoye). In 02.2001 presented during Aero-India 2001 @ Bangalore to commander of IAF - Marshal Tipnis, as Su-30MK.

  
  2nd preproduction (served as 4th prototype) of Sukhoi Su-30MKI, built in 2001, serial number 20-06, first flight February 15th, 2001.

  
  3rd preproduction (served as 5th prototype) of Sukhoi Su-30MKI, built VIII.2001, serial number 20-07, first flight April 18th, 2001.

• Ten Su-30MKI (third batch) with canards and thrust vectoring engines Saturn AL-31FP were delivered 06-09.2002, officially handed to IAF in 09.2002. Next deliveries took place in 2003 and 2004. In 2004 Su-30K and Su-30MKI had been put into service with two squadrons of IAF. For the first time in the world, a production aircraft has an engine with thrust vector control (AL-31FP, developed by the RDC named after A. Lyulka).

  
  Sukhoi Su-30MKI (Su-30MKI from 3rd batch), 2002.

  
  Sukhoi Su-30MKI (Su-30MKI from 3rd batch), 2002.

  
  Sukhoi Su-30MKI (Su-30MKI from 4th batch), 2004

• International exercise Cope India 2004 with american F-15 and singapore F-16.
• 2003 IAF buy from Uzbekistan TAPO (Tashkent Aircraft Production Corporation named after V.P. Chkalov, TAPOiCh) two IL-76 to air-refueling Su-30MKIs and Jaguars. Aircrafts were equiped with french avionics and israeli refueling pods and converted to IL-78MKI tankers (s.n. RK-3451 and RK-3452). Also two additional new IL-76MD were introduced into service of the IAF (K2665, K2901; 44th Squadron Mighty Jets at Agra AB).
• 2004-2019: license production in HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Bangalore) - 140 x Su-30MKI (incl. airframes, engines AL-31FP and radar Bars). Firsts two Su-30MKI from HAL were produced 06-11.2004 from russian parts, as next 26 aicrafts. First purely indian HAL Su-30MKI is expected in 2010.
  HAL include Aircraft Division at Ozhar near Nasik (Su-30MKI) and Engine Division at Koraput (AL-31FP).

  
  Sukhoi/HAL Su-30MKI (licensed Su-30MKI), 2003.

• 06.2005 6 x Su-30K participated in Garuda 2 exercises, France, Istres air base.
• 2006: indian government accepted russian proposition to exchange 18 x Su-30K (1st and 2nd batch) to new Su-30MKI, instead modernise them. Rumours that aircrafts were selling to Belarus and upgraded to Su-27UBM1 standard. In 2007 at least 14 Su-30K was clearly visible on satelite photos of Pune AB, but in fact about 2007 aircrafts Su-30K were taken out of service.
• 02.2007 Sukhois with special painting "75 Years" of indian air force.

  
  Sukhoi Su-30MKI. February 2007.

• 06.2007 6 x Su-30MKI participated in Indra Dahnush exercises, Great Britain, Waddington air base.
• 2007/2008 - first indian AWACS (known as A-50EI, later as aircraft EI, s.n. KW3551) was built on base of the A-50. In spring 2008 equiped with israeli radar Phalcon.
• 05.2008 about 24 x HAL Su-30MKI (SB101-SB124) were produced.
• 08.2008 eight IAF's Sukhois (107, 108, 110, 115) and two IL-78MKIs (incl. RK-3453) participated in Red Flag exercise in USA at Nellis AFB, Nevada (with Nort American and South Korean air forces). Some Su-30MKI with Litening pod under right fuselage.

  
  Sukhoi Su-30MKI. July 2008.

• In 2007 new contract was signed for next licensed 40 Su-30MKI (worth $ 1.5 billion).
• February 2009: SB-050 get special painting for Aero India 2009 at Yelahanka air base in Bangalore.

  
  Sukhoi Su-30MKI SB050. Aero India 2009.

• April 2009: Su-30 crashed in Rajasthan. It was the first accident of Su-30. Co-pilot was killed, hited by the falling debris of the aircraft. A fleet of Sukhois was grounded for some time.
• June 2009: After deploing Sukhois in Tezpur (4 aircrafts, officially since June 2009), the IAF will post another squadron at the Chabua air base to boost security along the border with China in the northeast.
• November 2009: second Su-30 crashed during exercise, near Jaisalmer in the northwestern state of Rajasthan. Pilots ejected and survived.
• June 2010: France (Mirage-2000), India (Su-30MKI, Il-78MKI) and Singapore (F-16) air forces in exercices Garuda-IV at Istres air base (Marseille, France). Su-30MKI: SB058, SB060, SB303, SB304, SB305 and SB309 from Bareilly.

  
  Sukhoi Su-30MKI from 8th Squadron, Bareilly. June 2010.

  
  Sukhoi Su-30MKI from 8th Squadron, Bareilly. June 2010.

Original drawings: Mariusz Wojciechowski. All right reserved. Copyright © 2008, 2009, 2010.