Sukhoi Su-30MKI facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Su-30MKI |
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| An Indian Air Force Su-30MKI | |
| Role | Air superiority fighter |
| National origin | Russia / India |
| Manufacturer | Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (under licence from Sukhoi) |
| Design group | Sukhoi Design Bureau |
| First flight | IAF Su-30МК: 1 July 1997 Su-30MKI: 2000 |
| Introduction | 27 September 2002 |
| Status | In service |
| Primary user | Indian Air Force |
| Produced | 2000–present |
| Number built | 200 as of August 2014 |
| Unit cost | ₹358 crore (US$61 million) |
| Developed from | Sukhoi Su-30 |
The Sukhoi Su-30MKI is a powerful fighter jet built for the Indian Air Force. It was made by two companies: Sukhoi from Russia and HAL from India. This plane is a special version of the Sukhoi Su-30 aircraft. It took its first flight in the year 2000 and started being used by the air force in 2002. The Su-30MKI is known for being one of the heaviest fighter jets in the world. It can also fly for very long distances without needing to refuel.
The Indian Air Force plans to have 272 of these amazing planes. They are a very important part of India's air defense. This jet is seen as a "4++ generation" fighter. This means it has very advanced features, similar to newer planes like the Sukhoi Su-35.
Contents
What Makes the Su-30MKI Special?
The Su-30MKI is a twin-engine, two-seat fighter jet. It is designed to fly in all kinds of weather, day or night. It can perform many different tasks during a mission. These tasks include fighting other planes in the sky and attacking targets on the ground.
Advanced Technology for Flight
This jet has special engines that can change the direction of their thrust. This feature is called thrust vectoring. It helps the plane make very sharp turns and tricky moves in the air. This makes it very hard for enemy planes to follow or hit it. The Su-30MKI also has a special radar system. This radar can see many targets at once, even from far away.
Weapons and Equipment
The Su-30MKI can carry many different types of weapons. It can carry air-to-air missiles to shoot down other planes. It can also carry air-to-ground missiles and bombs to hit targets on land or at sea. One important missile it can carry is the BrahMos missile. This is a very fast cruise missile. The plane also has a powerful cannon for close-range fighting.
Inside the Cockpit
The pilots sit in a modern cockpit. They have special screens that show them all the important information. These screens are called multi-function displays. The pilots also wear helmets that show flight information right on the visor. This helps them keep their eyes on the sky while getting important data.
Who Uses the Su-30MKI?
The main user of the Su-30MKI is the Indian Air Force. India has been building these planes under a special agreement with Russia. This agreement allows India to make the planes in its own factories. This helps India become more independent in making its own defense equipment.
Images for kids
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IAF Su-30MKI
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IAF Su-30MKI touches down at Mountain Home Air Force Base during Red Flag exercise.
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RAF Typhoon and Su-30MKI during Indradhanush 2015.
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Indian Air Force Su-30MKI
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BrahMos missile under Su-30MKI mock-up at MAKS-2009
See also
In Spanish: Sukhoi Su-30MKI para niños
