Super-30 Project: IAF’s Su-30 MKIs To Get Major Rs 66,829 Cr Upgrade Amid Rising Threats From Pakistan and China – Details

New Delhi: Amid rising threats from borders with Pakistan and China, India is boosting its defence capabilities by investing in modern naval ships, fighter jets, and state-of-the-art weapons. With the aim to revamp its air power, New Delhi is exploring its options to acquire fifth-generation fighter jets and also fast-tracking the production of the indigenous Tejas multirole aircraft.

Notably, the IAF currently operates 31–32 fighter jet squadrons against the required strength of 41–42. To fill this gap, the government has devised a master plan to upgrade the Su-30MKI fighter jets. This upgrade will be part of Project Super-30.

DRDO successfully conducted release trials of the 1000-kg class Long-Range Glide Bomb (LRGB) ‘Gaurav’ from Su-30 MKI between Apr 8-10, 2025. Achieving 100 km range with pinpoint accuracy, the indigenously developed weapon marks a major boost for #IAF’s strike capability.

Read… pic.twitter.com/H6aL9Huw0X

— Ministry of Defence, Government of India (@SpokespersonMoD) April 11, 2025

About the Super-30 Project:

Under the Super-30 program, 84 jets will be upgraded over the next three to four years, and the estimated cost for this upgrade is likely to be around USD 2.4 to 7.8 billion (around ₹66,829 crore), reported India Defense News.

Watch | #IAF_Flypast in Chennai | Oct 6, 2024

Marina formation: Three Su-30 MKI flying past in a ‘Vic’ formation.#IndianAirForceDay2024#IAF92ndAnniversary@IAF_MCC pic.twitter.com/JnMAB8Fxkm

— Ministry of Defence, Government of India (@SpokespersonMoD) October 6, 2024

As per reports, after this upgrade, these 4.5-generation fighter jets are expected to remain operational till 2055.

Meanwhile, the Defence Ministry has approved India’s indigenous fifth-generation fighter jet program. Last month, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) launched the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project. This fighter jet is likely to be ready for induction by 2035.

Russia and the United States have also offered India their fifth-gen fighter jets – Su-57E and F-35, respectively.

As part of the Super-30 Project, the gallium nitride-based Active Electronically Scanned Array radar (AESA), known as the Virupaksha radar, will be integrated into these jets, reported News18. This Virupaksha radar is developed by DRDO and reportedly has the capability of detecting targets 300–400 kilometres away.

The cockpit of the Su-30MKI will be fully digitised. It will be equipped with indigenous air-to-air missiles like Astra Mk-2 and Astra Mk-3 Gandiva, reported the media house. These missiles are capable of engaging enemies from a distance of around 300 kilometres.

These major upgrades in Su-30MKI jets will neutralise threats from Pakistan’s F-16 jets.