India Upgrades 20 More Su-30MKIs Capable of Carrying BrahMos-A Cruise Missile

(DEFENCE AFFAIRS) – The Indian Air Force will reportedly upgrade 20 more Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets to enable the fighter jets to be equipped with the BrahMos-A Air Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) which weighs 2.5 tons.

At this point, the Indian Air Force and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) have already upgraded 40 Su-30MKI fighter jets capable of carrying the BrahMos-A cruise missile.

The BrahMos-A missile only further enhances the Indian Air Force's Standoff capabilities.

If another 20 Su-30MKI fighter jets are upgraded, it will bring the total number of fighter jets capable of carrying and launching the BrahMos-A missile currently in service with the Indian Air Force to 60.

With 60 Su-30MKI fighter jets capable of carrying and launching BrahMos-A missiles, it will allow the Indian Army to establish a third squadron.

"Work on upgrading the Su-30MKI fighter jet to enable it to carry and launch the BrahMos-A missile is expected to begin this year and it is expected to be fully completed in 2027."

The upgrade work will enable the Su-30MKI fighter to withstand the aerodynamic and structural stresses of carrying and launching missiles weighing a total of 2.5 tonnes.

The missile is capable of traveling at Mach 3 and hitting targets 400-500km away.