By Harendra Chaudhary
New Delhi: The Indian Air Force (IAF) has embarked on a mission to further modernise its Sukhoi Su-30MKI, its most reliable fighter jet, to counter threats such as the enemy’s electronic warfare and GPS jamming.
As part of this initiative, the IAF has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for replacing the legacy navigation system with a new multi-constellation GNSS antenna.
This will enhance the aircraft’s navigation capabilities, accuracy, survivability in electronic warfare environments, and long-range operational reach.
The IAF operates over 260 Sukhoi fighter aircraft, license-produced in India with Russian collaboration at the state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s facility in Nasik, Maharashtra.
The aircraft is capable of long-range flights, air superiority missions, ground attacks, and precision strikes, and is equipped with supersonic BrahMos cruise missiles.
However, in modern warfare, powerful engines and weaponry alone are no longer considered sufficient. Navigation, data links, and electronic security have now become equally critical. For this very reason, the IAF now aims to take the Sukhoi jet’s navigation system to a new level.
Currently, the Su-30MKI utilises GPS and GLONASS-based navigation systems. However, adversary nations are employing GPS jamming, spoofing, and electronic attacks.
If a combat aircraft’s satellite signal is blocked, it adversely affects its accuracy. This can impact missile targeting, long-range flight operations, and weapon guidance systems.
According to IAF officers, the existing system operates within a limited frequency band. Navigation difficulties may arise in certain regions due to sparse satellite coverage and electronic jamming. For this reason, the IAF is seeking a system capable of simultaneously connecting to multiple satellite networks.
During ‘Operation Sindoor’, Pakistan attempted to employ GPS jamming and spoofing techniques to disrupt the navigation capabilities of Indian aircraft, missiles, and drones. The objective was to feed erroneous location data to Indian systems or to disrupt their satellite signals.
Earlier, several instances of GPS spoofing had been reported in border regions such as Amritsar and Jammu. A further surge in such activities was observed during Operation Sindoor, they said.
Certain IAF platforms, including transport aircraft like the C-130J and fighter jets such as the Su-30MKI and Rafale, have encountered GPS spoofing. However, the IAF utilised the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (NavIC) and Inertial Navigation Systems (INS) as backup mechanisms, ensuring that missions remained unaffected.
In light of these experiences, the IAF is now placing greater emphasis on integrating multi-constellation antennas and anti-jam navigation systems into platforms such as the Su-30MKI.
This initiative aims to ensure that, even in future scenarios characterised by a GPS-denied environment, aircraft can continue to conduct operations safely and with precision.
The new multi-constellation GNSS antenna will simultaneously support multiple satellite systems, including the American GPS, Russian GLONASS, European Galileo, Chinese BeiDou, and Indian NavIC. This will make over 100 satellites available, thereby enhancing signal continuity and accuracy.
Furthermore, it will incorporate India’s own Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS) ‘GAGAN’ (GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation). GAGAN primarily operates on two frequencies.
The first is the L1 frequency, which operates at 1575.42 MHz, compatible with traditional GPS signals and is currently the most widely used. The second is the L5 frequency, which operates at 1176.45 MHz, considered more advanced, and offers dual-frequency support.
A dual-frequency antenna capable of supporting both L1 and L5 frequencies is deemed essential for high-speed, high-manoeuvrability fighter jets such as the Su-30.
Such combat aircraft fly at extremely high speeds and execute complex manoeuvres, conditions under which standard GPS signals are prone to higher error margins. A dual-frequency system mitigates these errors and provides the aircraft with more precise positioning.
Consequently, the jet will no longer be reliant on just one or two satellite networks. Should the signal from one system be disrupted, the other network will continue to function, ensuring many satellites remain available to the aircraft, resulting in even more accurate positioning.
The new antenna is being designed so that it can function even amidst electronic jamming, even as adversary nations attempt to disrupt satellite signals through electronic warfare systems.
According to the RFP, the new system will incorporate anti-jamming and anti- spoofing technologies, meaning that even if an adversary attempts to transmit fake signals or block genuine ones, the aircraft will still be able to continue flying in the correct direction.
India’s arch rivals, China and Pakistan, already possess advanced electronic warfare systems. Consequently, the IAF now seeks to equip its combat aircraft with a comparable level of protection.
Following the installation of the new antenna, the navigation accuracy of the Su-30 will improve significantly. According to the RFP, the system will be capable of delivering an accuracy of 1 to 2 metres.
This will have a direct impact on missiles and precision-guided munitions. BrahMos, SPICE, and other smart munitions will be able to receive more precise targeting data.
IAF officers indicate that precision strikes will play a pivotal role in future warfare. In this context, navigation accuracy is considered to be of paramount importance.
The new multi-constellation antenna will also aid in long-range missions. Improved navigation and route planning will result in fuel savings. Furthermore, this upgrade will prove highly beneficial in maritime zones, mountainous regions, and electronic warfare environments.
If the aircraft continues to receive highly reliable positioning data, it will be able to conduct operations more safely, even in difficult terrain and adverse weather conditions.
The Su-30’s navigation system currently comprises an Inertial Navigation System, laser gyros, and satellite receivers. However, this technology is now considered obsolete. The new system will feature multi-band and multi-frequency support to mitigate issues such as ionospheric errors and multipath effects.
The new antenna will also incorporate Right-Hand Circular Polarisation and high-gain technology. It will be designed with an extremely compact and lightweight profile to ensure it does not adversely affect the aircraft’s weight or aerodynamics.
This upgrade is considered part of the IAF’s ambitious “Super Sukhoi” programme. Under this initiative, there are plans to equip the Su-30 aircraft with new radars, modern avionics, electronic warfare systems, and new weaponry.
The new antenna system is an integral part of this modernisation programme, and it will also serve to extend the service life of the aircraft. The IAF aims to ensure that the Su-30 remains combat-ready for modern warfare for several decades to come.
The RFP permits Indian companies, Defence Public Sector Undertakings, and consortia working with foreign partners to participate. Apart from HAL, state-run Bharat Electronics Limited, and several private defence companies are eligible to participate in this project. The Narendra Modi government has placed special emphasis on the “Make in India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (Self-Reliant India) initiatives.
According to the RFP, priority will be accorded to companies demonstrating a higher proportion of indigenous content. Furthermore, this project is slated to be executed in distinct phases. The initial phase will involve the design and development of prototypes. Subsequently, ground and flight trials will be conducted on a select number of aircraft.
Large-scale installation will commence following the completion of the certification process. In the introductory phase, the system is expected to be installed on 50+ aircraft, followed by a comprehensive upgrade across the entire fleet.
Alongside the deployment of the new system, technical personnel from both the IAF and HAL will undergo specialized training. Additionally, the scope of the project includes the provision of spare parts, ground support equipment, and warranty services.
The RFP stipulates that the new system must be seamlessly integrated with the existing aircraft systems without necessitating any major structural modifications.
Modern warfare has rapidly evolved to become increasingly network-centric and electronically driven. Missiles and combat aircraft alone are no longer sufficient; data, navigation, and electronic security now play pivotal roles in determining the outcome of a conflict.
If an aircraft possesses the capability to execute precision strikes even within a “GPS-denied” or “signal-jammed” environment, its operational effectiveness is multiplied manifold. This upgrade by the IAF is therefore regarded as a significant stride in that very direction.
Both China and Pakistan are rapidly augmenting their electronic warfare and satellite-based military capabilities. China, in particular, has already developed advanced jamming systems and anti-satellite technologies.
It is against this backdrop that the IAF aims to equip its most critical combat aircraft with state-of-the-art navigation and anti-jamming technologies.
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