As works on maintaining the KNAAPO-built Sukhoi Su-30MKM (NATO Reporting Name: Flanker) Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) continues following the implementation of 10 Years Preventive Restoration Works (PRW) by Aerospace Technology Systems Corp (ATSC), a subsidiary of National Aerospace and Defence Industries (NADI), it has become apparent that there have been numerous technological advancements since then that dictate an upgrade for the aircraft order.
The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) must address the need to upgrade its Sukhoi fleet despite the fact that the Russia-made fighter jet is a superb and powerful platform.
The RMAF has acquired 18 of the type, most of which have been based on the heavily customised SU-30MKI Flanker operated by the Indian Air Force (IAF). These aircraft had incorporated Russian, Indian and Israeli technologies and were licence-assembled by the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL). The Malaysian examples were essentially taking out the Israeli made components from the aircraft and replaced them with Western source systems.
There are four key elements in the Su-30MKM – the stand off weapon, laser targeting pod. radar and the electronic warfare (EW) suite – are needed to be upgraded.
While the Air Force had successfully integrate the new Vymple R-77 Beyond Visual Range Air to Air Missile (BVRAAM) as demonstrated by the Bisa Daya detachment last year over the South China Sea, as strategic asset to the country, it is important that they are to be equipped with stand off cruise missile such as the DRDO Brahmos Air Launched cruise missile (ALCM).
The Thales Damocles laser targeting pod is also nearing obsolescence hence should be replaced by newer Thales TALIOS pods similar to the one installed by the newly induct Dassault Rafale omni role fighters by the IAF.
The NIIP N011M Bars radar, which is only a passive electronically scanned array (PESA) system also needs to be replaced with an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar to give Su-30MKM crews a higher level of situational awareness.
The EW suite is a greater challenge in that the aircraft’s large radar cross-section makes a robust self-protection capacity mandatory. The aircraft’s current EW suite is a variant of the Russian-produced KNIRTI SAP-518 wingtip-pod-mounted system. This could be augmented by the SAP-14 centreline stand-off jamming module that make the Malaysian Flanker a formidable EW platform despite the RMAF lacking a dedicated EW platform that could be employed as part of Strike package as demonstrated by Pakistani Air Force (PAF) on February 2019 during Operation Swift Retort.
The introduction of Pylon X by the RMAF Centre for Aerospace Engineering Services (Pusat Perkhidmatan Kejuruteraan Aeroangkasa – PUSPEKA) allows the integration of Paveway II laser guided bombs (LGB) to be dispensed by the Sukhoi. Apparently with continuous research effort by PUSPEKA, the Pylon X would be able to dispense ADM-141 Tactical Air Launched Decoy (TALD) which would further boost its Suppression of Enemy Air Defence/Destruction of Enemy Air Defence (SEAD/DEAD) when coupled with the Sukhoi’s Kh-31 anti radiation missiles (ARM).
Already the Sukhoi are able to carry ACMI pods for simulated air launched of AAM. The next step for the Sukhoi would be the integration of Laser Guided Training Round (LGTR).
(MFH)