Russian Navy Su-30SM, an analog of the IAF’s Su-30MKI, is playing a critical role in defending Russian territory, particularly the Crimean peninsula, from attacks by Ukrainian forces.
The Su-30 series of Russian fighters are twin-engined, twin-seater fighters.
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Because they have two engines, they are safer to fly over the sea than single-engine fighters; they can take an engine failure in their stride and safely return to their base.
They are also more suited to patrolling over the sea because of their great endurance. The Su-30 is so large that it can fly for hours on internal fuel. Most fighter aircraft use external tanks to increase their endurance. It’s unlikely that you will ever see a Su-30 flying with external tanks.
The aircraft is also equipped for aerial refueling. For all practical purposes, the endurance of the Su-30 is determined by the endurance of the pilots flying it.
Note the use of the word “pilots,” not “pilot.” The aircraft can be flown from both cockpits, allowing one pilot to rest on a long-duration mission.
Though the Su-30SM is a multi-functional fighter, its loiter capability matches that of slow-moving maritime reconnaissance aircraft. Russia is effectively using the Su-30SM to prevent attacks on Russian territory, particularly Crimea.
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Search & Destroy Missions
The Su-30SM flies search-and-destroy missions over the Black Sea waters, hunting UAVs, uncrewed surface vehicles, and the enemy’s amphibious assault force.
They operate at altitudes varying from 35,000 ft to sea level.
In a recent Russian Ministry of Defence (RuMoD) video, a Su-30SM fighter pilot of the ground-attack regiment of the Black Sea Fleet Naval Aviation and Air Defence Formation detailed the role the fighters play.
The pilot, who goes by the call sign Baykal, said, “We perform combat flights and constantly conduct patrols over the Black Sea waters. “We detect and destroy aerial targets, unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as uncrewed surface vehicles and boats with enemy troops.
“The Su-30 fighter jet is multifunctional and capable of using all types of weaponry. We deploy aircraft cannons, free-fall munitions, and guided weaponry. All methods of engaging these targets are effective.
“All pilots are trained, ready to perform tasks and destroy uncrewed surface vehicles. There are a number of features when performing tasks at sea at night. In fact, there is an illusion that the sea merges with the sky. There are no problems when we need to engage surface targets at night.
“They are detected by helicopters or our drones.
“We also successfully work according to the coordinates provided to us, and we also successfully destroy all targets.
Impact Of Drones On Threat Perception
Gone are the days when a country could determine the direction and geographic extent of adversary threats by air and over sea. The success of Ukrainian aerial drone strikes deep into Russian territory is a case in point.
Slow-moving drones, remotely or autonomously piloted through gaps in the terrain and radar coverage, can strike hundreds of miles deep into adversary territory.
During past confrontations with Pakistan, the threat from the air was limited to Indian territory up to 200 km from the border. The threat from the sea was non-existent.
More relevant, perhaps to the focus of our discussion, are the threats posed by explosive-laden sea surface drones and air defense missile-armed drone boats. Also, the threat from hostile landing parties.
Today, sea-borne drone attacks can take place anywhere along the Indian coastline. The drones could be launched from fishing trawlers, merchant ships, and even submarines.
India has a coastline that stretches for approximately 7,516 km.
Our mainland coastline is 5,422 km long, and that of our Island territories—the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Lakshadweep Islands—is 2,094 km long.
Russia is hard-pressed to defend its 1,200 km Black Sea coastline (including the Crimean peninsula). India’s challenge is not hard to imagine.
Russia’s successful employment of Su-30SM for defending its seas, likely has lessons for the IAF and the IN. The IAF is established for an inventory of 272 Su-30MKI fighters, and an upgrade program for the IAF’s fleet is underway.
Current Sea Surveillance Limitations
India currently operates leased drones (MQ-9) and maritime patrol aircraft (P-8I) for surveillance over the sea.
Surveillance drones, such as the very expensive to acquire and operate US MQ-9, can carry very limited armament. Besides, their ability to detect threats hundreds of miles away would be wasted if the time taken to come within weapon engagement range is excessive.
Fighters like the Su-30MKI could conceivably arrive at the target much faster with greater weapon load and more engagement weapon options.
Su-3OMKI Upgrade
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), on November 30, 2023, granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoNs) for the modernization of IAF Su-30MKIs by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
As part of the modernization, the aircraft will be fitted with indigenously developed Virupaksha AESA radar and avionics. Its weapon management system will integrate indigenously developed long-range weapon systems. Additionally, the modernization will extend the life of the Su-30MKI fighter jet fleet by more than 20 years!
The upgrade program would be a good opportunity for the IAF to better equip the Su-30MKI for warding off coastal threats. The AESA radar proposed to be fitted as part of the upgrade would dramatically improve the aircraft’s surveillance capability.
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The IAF’s decision to upgrade the aircraft while retaining the existing AL-31FP engine may, however, prove limiting. Russia has developed a more powerful and fuel-efficient replacement called AL-41F-1S, which would further increase the fighter’s endurance without aerial refueling.
Russia claims that fitting the AL-41F-1S, which is 16% more powerful and 100% more cost-effective, would not require any airframe modifications.
Of course, the upgrade program is in its early stages and the AL-41F-1S has not been fully integrated with the Su-30 so far. It is possible that the IAF will opt for the new engine at a later stage of the upgrade program.
- Vijainder K Thakur is a retired IAF Jaguar pilot, author, software architect, entrepreneur, and military analyst.
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