November 12, 2007:
Now that it
has retired its MiG-25 reconnaissance aircraft, India is replacing them with a
dozen or more Su-30MKI fighters [PHOTO], equipped with Israeli sensors and
communications gear. This will provide superior intelligence collecting
performance that the MiG-25s possessed. Moreover, the MiG-25 was a mediocre
fighter, while the Su-30 is superb in that role. India has 70 Su-30MKIs and is
building 140, at the rate of 13 a year, under license. Eventually, India will
have 230 Su-30MKIs. The first 18 Su-30s India received from Russia have been
retired after a decade of service. The fatigue problems that have grounded the
equivalent American fighter (the F-15) are also present in the Su-30.
In many respects, the Indian
made Su-30s, the Su-30MKI, is the most capable version available, due to its
Israeli and European electronics, and the well trained Indian pilots.
Video Sukhoi SU-30 Flight Demonstration