November 12, 2007: Now that it has retired its MiG-25 reconnaissance aircraft, India is replacing them with a dozen or more Su-30MKI fighters [PHOTO], equipped with Israeli sensors and communications gear. This will provide superior intelligence collecting performance that the MiG-25s possessed. Moreover, the MiG-25 was a mediocre fighter, while the Su-30 is superb in that role. India has 70 Su-30MKIs and is building 140, at the rate of 13 a year, under license. Eventually, India will have 230 Su-30MKIs. The first 18 Su-30s India received from Russia have been retired after a decade of service. The fatigue problems that have grounded the equivalent American fighter (the F-15) are also present in the Su-30.

In many respects, the Indian made Su-30s, the Su-30MKI, is the most capable version available, due to its Israeli and European electronics, and the well trained Indian pilots.

Video Sukhoi SU-30 Flight Demonstration