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Su 30 MK1

10th September, 2024 Security

Su 30 MK1

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Context:

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to supply 240 AL-31FP engines for Su-30MKI fighter jets.

Details

Feature

Description

Type

Multirole combat fighter aircraft.

Developed By

Sukhoi Design Bureau and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for Indian Air Force but it is Russian Origin.

Based On

Su-30 fighter aircraft.

Service entry

September 2002.

Operator

Indian Air Force.

Key Features

Fourth-generation.

Thrust vectoring control and canards.

Two AL-31 FP aero engines, AL-31FP is a high-temperature turbojet by-pass engine of modular design.

The Su-30MKI is also equipped with a N011M passive electronically scanned array radar, OLS-30 laser-optical locator system and Litening target designation pod to guide air-to-surface missile and laser guided munitions.

Missile Capability

The aircraft can launch a range of air-to-surface missiles, including Kh-29L/T/TYe, Kh-31A/P, Kh-59M and Nirbhay.

Su-30MKI fleet of IAF fitted with air-launched version of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, successfully tested in November 2017.

Radar Warning System

Fitted with "Tarang" radar warning receiver (RWR) indigenously developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

Range

The aircraft has a maximum unrefuelled flight range of 3,000km.

The in-flight refuelling system of Su-30MKI provides a maximum range of 8,000km with two refuellings.

Source : https://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/su-30mki-multirole-fighter-aircraft-india/

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Consider the following statements:

  1. The Sukhoi Su-30MKI is a multi-role combat fighter aircraft indigenously developed by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
  2. The aircraft can launch a range of air-to-surface missiles like Nirbhay and air-launched versions of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles.

Which of the above statement/s is/are incorrect?

A. 1 only

B. 2 only

C. Both 1 and 2

D. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: A

Explanation:

Statement 1 is incorrect

The Sukhoi Su-30MKI is a two-seater, twinjet multirole air superiority fighter developed by Russian aircraft manufacturer Sukhoi and built under license by India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Air Force (IAF). A variant of the Sukhoi Su-30, it is a heavy, all-weather, long-range fighter.

Statement 2 is correct

The aircraft can launch a range of air-to-surface missiles, including Kh-29L/T/TYe, Kh-31A/P, Kh-59M and Nirbhay. The Su-30MKI fleet of IAF was fitted with an air-launched version of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles and was successfully tested in November 2017.