Dont know weather Russia will allow but if somehow we have a Gan based indo israeli AESA radar on MKI then it will be more lethal than Russian air force Su-35's
If I am the decission maker than I would simply decline any such offer, because for MKI which have N011M Bars Radar, which is between AESA and PESA, better option is to upgrade this Radar, with AESA Antenna, upgrade the Radar computer and its software which would be more economical plus it will free us hassle for the integration of the Russian weapons which MKI possess.
Miraj used to be India's main nuclear deterrent asset in past. Cannt say about current situation but just see IAF still dont have better plane than miraj for nuclear bomb( even not mki). Offcourse Rafale will replace the miraj for sure. Though IAF do use few prithvi 2 missiles.
For Nuclear dilevery with the fighter plane what is needed is the Hardened avionics aka all the electronics of the fighter plane are shielded from the Nuclear blast impulses. I think Rafale and MKI suits this role pretty much, which could fire nuclear tip cruise missile from strandoff distance. I think 50 MKI should be given to SPF for such role, under the nuclear command fly by IAF pilots.
MKI upgrades primarily focused on avionics upgrades. That will improve not only A2A performance but also A2G. But will IAF will use these a/c for A2G role will depend on circumstances. Major platform upgrades expect stealth improvement might not happen.
Nowadays, role of fighters is not limited to few areas. It is expected for fighter that it will perform all war time duties. Yes, IAF would like to use mki for air superiority and air cover. But in any unlike condition mki will do ground role also.
As per IAF, they use mki from conventional roles to mini AWACS to even carpet bombing.
MKI used for Carpet bombing is the waste of assets and should be given to the Jaguar and MIG-27.
Yes I agree after Super Sukhoi upgrade the MKI would be upgraded to Strike fighter cum Airsuperiority fighter plane. What I heard for the Super Sukhoi upgrade is
1. Aesa for Sure -- Probably Upgraded BARS
2. Internal Virgilus Jammer
3. R-77M -- Long range BVR --max 180 KM
4. BAE Cassidan MAWS
5. OLS-35
6. Streghtening of Airframe to carry 3 Brahmos.
7. KH-34P and other Strandoff Weapons
8. Python-5 WVR
9. Aerial Decoy
10. Upgraded Engine with better MTO and thrust
11. Upgraded Mission Computer, and glass cockpit
12 Dash Helmet
13 RCS reduction.
14. Sensor fussion
Super Sukhoi 30MKI than could perform SEAD, DEAD, Jamming, Ground attack from strandoff weapon, Air superiority.
My wish
1. Air frame strengthening, and Sukhoi Certificate of Low altitute 8G.
2. Tech from PAK FA
3. Weapons developed for PAK FA
4. Superior Computing power with fully integration of Indian Air force Battle Management with real time network with IAF Satellite and network.
5. Superior Sensors and 360 degree Radar, to give full spectrum and sensor fussion.
First question
Most public records in net says India uses Nuke delivery via Mirages and Jaguars.
With the Super 30 upgrade will the upgraded Sukhois will be used for N delivery?
Or will they continue their air superiority role for Deep Penetration Strike Aircraft like Rafales, Mirages, Jags for N Delivery?
I think the nuclear Delivery from fighter plane would be given to 50 Super Su 30MKI which will be under SPF command that will bring the total MKI number in India build to 350.
The second trivia question
Brahmos NG or say Something similar like ASMP ALCM will be used for high value targets for precision strikes via conventional warheads or augmented for N Strikes via N warhead?
For Nuclear Strike Brahmos is totally waste, any stealthy Subsonic cruise missile could delver that weapon because a nuclear explosion is made around few KM in air not on the ground for maximum destruction.
Brahmos NG should be used for the hardened target and high value target.
That brings to third question
Will Super 30 upgrade the Su30 MKI A2A skills only or its a program to improve A2G with features like terrain hugging ?(mind you airframe of MKI is not designed for that)
Aesa Radar have the capability for ground SAR mapping for terrain hugging, but unfortunately MKI is not certify to fly with fuel and weapon load at that terrain hugging low altitute profile by OEM aka Sukhoi, thats why the need for the Rafale. Best we can make Super Sukhoi Su30 MKI as Su 34 Pull back, not Su-24.