ASELSAN:
Lockheed Martin:
Rheinmetall:
BAE Systems:
Thales:
Leonardo:
Saab:
Kongsberg Gruppen:
Indra Sistemas:
Mitsubishi Heavy Ind.:
Hanwha Aerospace:
AVIC Shenyang Aircraft:
Hindustan Aeronautics:
KEY INTELLIGENCE TAKEAWAYS & SUMMARY
- Indian Air Force pilots flew Russian-made Su-30SM fighter aircraft for the first time during Exercise Indra 2026.
- Exercise scenarios covered low-altitude dogfighting, destruction of small targets, and air-to-air ordnance combat.
- The experience will directly provide data to the 'Super Sukhoi' modernization program carried out by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
- The Indian military is also conducting domestic AESA radar and RVV-BD long-range missile integration projects for its Su-30MKI fleet.
Cockpit Experience and Tactical Engagement
Recent developments causing a major stir in military aviation circles show that integration between the air forces of two allied nations has evolved to a new level. Personnel from the Russian Aerospace Forces and the Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted joint flights with Su-30SM multirole fighter aircraft in the Russian inventory for the first time within the framework of Exercise Indra 2026. This operational engagement is considered a move to build a bridge between the platforms of the two countries, which derive from the same airframe family but possess different avionics architectures.
Exercise scenarios focused on the most challenging and dynamic aspects of modern air combat. Pilots underwent rigorous testing in neutralizing small-sized targets flying at low altitude, defensive maneuvers against aircraft carrying short- and medium-range air-launched ordnance, and close-range air combat (dogfighting) conducted at medium-to-low altitudes.
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