The Su-30MKI is the Indian Air Force’s primary fighter, being the backbone of the fast jet fleet, and expected to continue to do so until the 2030s. The aircraft is tailor-made for Indian specifications and integrates Indian systems and avionics as well as French and Israeli sub-systems. However, with the withdrawal of the IAF from the FGFA program, Sukhoi has offered to India a variant of the Su-30 integrated with low observable features. Dubbed the Su-35SI, this will be an upgrade package for the IAF’s Su-30MKI fleet and is expected to extend its life into the 2030s.

• Integration of the Phazotron Zhuk-AE Active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars. The X band radar can track 30 aerial targets in the track-while-scan mode and engage six targets simultaneously in attack mode. AESA technology offers improved performance and reliability compared with traditional mechanically scanned array radars.

• Two side-looking N036B-1-01 X-band AESA radars with 358 T/R modules embedded in the cheeks of the forward fuselage for increased angular coverage as well as two N036L-1-01 L band transceivers on the wing's leading edge extensions for friend or foe identification and electronic warfare

• The 101KS-O Directional Infrared Counter Measures system has sensors housed in turrets mounted on the dorsal spine and forward fuselage under the cockpit and uses modulated laser-based countermeasures to confuse or destroy heat-seeking missiles' tracking mechanism.

• Integration of the L175M Khibiny-M electronic countermeasure system for defence against enemy missiles in addition to the Elta EL/M-8222.

• Integrated AN/AAQ-28(V) LITENING G4 targetting pod.

• The pair of Saturn AL-41FP to be replaced by Saturn AL-41F1S, similar to the one used on the Su-35S.

• Applied Radar Absorbent coating to engine inlets as well as engine intakes and front canards to nearly halve the frontal RCS.

• Integration for the nuclear-capable Nirbhay cruise missile and the Meteor missile.

The upgrade will cost $15 million per jet or $4.08 billion for the entire Su-30MKI fleet.