New Delhi’s modernization program will improve the fighter jets’ ability to survive battlefield jamming and spoofing
India is planning a major upgrade of its Sukhoi 30MKI fleet, The Times of India has reported.
The program aims to give the fighter jets, the backbone of the Indian Air Force, an improved ability to survive in a modern electronic warfare environment, according to the outlet.
The Indian Defense Ministry has issued a request for proposal to equip the fighters with state-of-the-art anti-jamming and anti-spoofing global positioning system (GPS) antennas, the report said.
Jamming and spoofing are vital elements of electronic warfare, which aim to disrupt the radio and GPS signals that allow pilots to navigate and fire munitions accurately. Jamming stops the signals, while spoofing sends false signals to the enemy’s navigation system.
The Indian Air Force currently operates about 258 Su-30MKI fighter aircraft. The proposed upgrade is part of the IAF’s Super Sukhoi modernization program. The Defense Ministry aims to acquire 300 antenna systems.
The move comes amid plans to procure a fifth-generation stealth fighter. In February, The New Indian Express reported that Russia’s Sukhoi Su-57 has emerged as the top contender.
A top-level delegation from Russia had visited a Hindustan Aeronautics Limited facility, which manufactures Sukhoi aircraft under license from Moscow. The Su-30MKI is the India-specific variant of the Russian Su-30, which was inducted into the IAF in 2002.
Talks between Russia and India on manufacturing Sukhoi Su-57 aircraft in India are at an advanced stage, Vadim Badekha, CEO of Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), said in January.
Moscow had announced an offer of full licensed production of the Su-57 in India at the Dubai Airshow in November, 2025.
New Delhi has initiated a Make in India program to boost domestic production capabilities. Nearly 60% of the defense hardware of the Indian Armed Forces is of Soviet/Russian origin, while the Sukhoi SU-30MKI air superiority fighter currently accounts for 45% of the IAF’s fighter fleet.
