In a decisive step to strengthen its frontline air combat survivability, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) for the procurement of 100 Aircraft Self-Protection Jammer (ASPJ) pods tailored for the Sukhoi Su-30MKI. The move marks a major milestone in India’s ongoing effort to indigenize advanced defence technologies under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
The proposed jamming pods will form a key part of the IAF’s “Super Sukhoi” modernization program, a ₹65,000-crore project aimed at upgrading India’s 260-strong Su-30MKI fleet into a more sophisticated, network-centric, and survivable 4.5-generation combat platform.
The ASPJ procurement underscores the IAF’s recognition of the growing threat posed by modern integrated air defence systems and radar-guided missiles in the region. The RFI mandates delivery within 36 months of contract signing, highlighting the urgency with which the Air Force is seeking to enhance its electronic warfare (EW) capabilities.
Electronic warfare systems are now seen as critical “invisible armor” for combat aircraft operating in contested airspace. The new pods will detect, identify, and jam enemy radar emissions, thereby disrupting radar-guided missile locks and confusing adversary sensors. This electronic shield enables aircraft to strike or evade with far greater safety in high-threat zones.
A senior IAF official described the program as “a strategic necessity to ensure that India’s most numerous and capable fighter fleet remains relevant against the evolving radar and missile landscape of 21st-century warfare.”
The ASPJ pods will be fully integrated into the Super Sukhoi upgrade suite, which also includes the new ‘Virupaksha’ Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, a next-generation Radar Warning Receiver (NG-RWR), and a digital glass cockpit. Together, these systems will enhance the Su-30MKI’s ability to operate as a multirole, sensor-fused platform capable of precision strikes and electronic dominance.
Since entering service in 2002, the Su-30MKI has evolved from a Russian-designed air superiority fighter into a highly “Indianised” platform, integrating indigenous avionics, sensors, and weapons such as the supersonic BrahMos cruise missile. The ASPJ initiative marks another major step in this transformation.
According to the RFI, the IAF is seeking a jammer pod equipped with advanced AESA-based transmitters that provide 360-degree coverage. One of the most critical requirements is the inclusion of Digital Radio Frequency Memory (DRFM) technology — a sophisticated electronic deception technique that goes beyond traditional noise jamming.
Instead of simply “blinding” enemy radar, DRFM records incoming radar signals, manipulates them, and retransmits altered versions to create false targets or distort the aircraft’s apparent position and speed. This can cause enemy systems to miscalculate, effectively neutralizing radar-guided threats.
These capabilities are vital for aircraft expected to operate in environments defended by systems like the Russian-made S-400 or Chinese HQ-9, both of which employ highly sensitive radar tracking networks.
The RFI mandates a minimum of 50 percent indigenous content and includes associated systems such as test benches, training simulators, and long-term maintenance support. Responses from vendors are due by early 2026, following which the Ministry of Defence is expected to issue a formal Request for Proposal (RFP).
India’s defence industry — both public and private — is already mobilizing to meet the requirement. Chennai-based Data Patterns has developed the “TALON SHIELD” jammer, a gallium nitride (GaN)-based AESA pod unveiled in September 2025. The company claims the system has successfully completed ground integration trials on Su-30MKI platforms.
Other potential contenders include Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), which may collaborate with foreign technology partners, and Larsen & Toubro (L&T), which has recently expanded its EW capabilities. These firms are expected to compete for one of the most technologically demanding indigenous defence contracts in recent years.
The ASPJ acquisition effort is not merely an upgrade program but also a strategic push toward self-reliance in electronic warfare — an area long dominated by foreign suppliers. Successful indigenous production will strengthen India’s defence industrial base and reduce dependence on Russian or Israeli systems for critical electronic protection technologies.
Defence analysts note that with future conflicts increasingly shaped by the electromagnetic spectrum, the ASPJ initiative could determine India’s ability to maintain air superiority in contested skies. “In modern air combat, whoever controls the spectrum controls the battlefield,” said one retired Air Marshal. “These pods will be as vital as missiles or radar.”
As India accelerates its modernization drive, the Su-30MKI’s evolution into a fully indigenous and electronically hardened platform symbolizes a broader shift in the nation’s aerospace strategy — one focused not just on strength in numbers, but on survivability, autonomy, and technological mastery.
