In a move aimed at strengthening the electronic warfare capabilities of the Indian Air Force's (IAF) workhorse fighter jets, the defence ministry has issued a request for proposal (RFP) to upgrade the Su-30MKI fighters with a state-of-the-art anti-jamming, anti-spoofing multi-constellation global positioning system (GPS) antenna.
Electronic Warfare Enhancement
Jamming and spoofing are part of electronic warfare. Under jamming, the signal is stopped or overpowered from reaching the receiver, and spoofing is the process by which a wrong signal is fed to trick the receiver. The new antenna system is designed to counter these threats, ensuring reliable navigation even in contested environments.
Super Sukhoi Modernisation Programme
The antenna upgrade is part of the wider 'Super Sukhoi' modernisation programme. The IAF currently operates about 258 Su-30MKI fighter aircraft, which form the backbone of the IAF's combat fleet. The upgrade is aimed at enhancing the capability and reach of the existing Su-30MKI with a new multi-constellation antenna.
The antenna will be compatible to operate under multiple satellite navigation constellations simultaneously, including India's own NaVIC system, GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo, and the GAGAN satellite-based augmentation system. This multi-constellation capability ensures robust and accurate positioning, navigation, and timing information even if one or more systems are jammed or degraded.
Technical Specifications and Delivery
According to the RFP, the system is required to operate across the full flight envelope of the Su-30MKI, functioning at altitudes up to 21 km, speeds up to Mach 1.5, and accelerations ranging from -2g to 9g. The RFP specifies that 300 antenna systems along with 50 field-level testers and 10 base-level testers are to be delivered. The entire project is to be completed within 24 months of contract signing.
The RFP bids must be submitted online by June 22, 2026, with the technical bid opening scheduled for the following day. This procurement is a critical step in modernising the IAF's electronic warfare capabilities and ensuring the Su-30MKI remains effective in future conflicts.
