Russia’s Su-30SM2 Upgrade: The Clue to HAL’s Missing Su-30MKI Engine Plan

Su-30SM2 delivered on July 9, 2026. Photo by Rostec

On July 9, 2026, the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) announced in a press release that it had delivered an unspecified number of Su-30SM2 multirole fighters to the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS), along with a batch of Su-34 fighter-bomber aircraft.

It is widely reported that the Su-30SM2 features the more powerful AL-41F-1S (Product 117S) engine and the Irbis-N035 radar, both of which are fitted on the Su-35S. While the latter (radar update) is true, the former (engine upgrade) is most likely not yet the case. That may well be the reason why HAL’s current Su-30MKI upgrade plans do not include an engine upgrade.

Su-30SM2

The Su-30SM2 is an effort to converge the Su-30 family with the Su-35 series to the maximum extent possible in order to reduce logistics and maintenance overheads.

In addition to the new radar and engine, the Su-30SM2 variant is expected to feature improved avionics and an upgraded OLS. It will also be capable of carrying new air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons developed for the Su-57 fighter.

S-70 Okhotnik Integration

Notably, the Su-30SM2 is expected to feature secure radio communication channels that will allow it to exchange tactical data with the S-70 Okhotnik low-observable attack drone. The range of this communication equipment is reportedly between 350 and 450 km, potentially reducing the need for Russian fighters to enter airspace controlled by enemy air-defense systems.

Order and Operational Induction Status

At the Army-2020 forum, the Russian Ministry of Defense and UAC signed a contract for the supply of 21 modernized Su-30SM2 fighters for the Russian Aerospace Forces (RuAF) and the Navy.

The RuAF and Fleet Aviation are inducting the Su-30SM2 on two parallel tracks:

1. Upgrading existing Su-30SM fighters to the SM2 standard.

2, Producing new Su-30SM2 fighters.

In April 2021, Izvestia reported that the initial batch of Su-30SM2 fighters would be earmarked for the Russian Navy, with deliveries prioritized for the Northern, Black Sea, and Baltic fleets.

“Slightly more than two dozen aircraft” were reportedly scheduled to be handed over to the Russian Ministry of Defense by the end of 2022.

Flight testing of the aircraft began in September 2021.

Deliveries of the aircraft started in January 2022.

“The United Aircraft Corporation, part of Rostec, has begun deliveries of modernized Su-30SM2 fighters for naval aviation of the Navy,” Rostec said in a statement to TASS on January 20, 2022.

Batch deliveries containing an unspecified number of fighters were made in November 2022 and July 2023.

Deliveries to the RuAF likely began in late 2023.

The RuAF reportedly received two two-seat Su-30SM2 aircraft in 2023.

On August 10, 2024, RIA Novosti reported, quoting a UAC press release, that the Irkutsk Aviation Plant of the United Aircraft Corporation had manufactured and delivered new improved Su-30SM2 multirole fighters to the Russian Ministry of Defense.

The batch delivered on July 9, 2026, was the latest such delivery.

Radar Upgrade

Designed by the Tikhomirov Scientific Research Institute (NIIP) in Zhukovsky, the Irbis-E radar is a direct evolution of the BARS radar, but is significantly more powerful.

The BARS radar is fitted on Indian Air Force Su-30MKI fighters and their Russian Su-30SM analogues. Both the Irbis-E and BARS are PESA hybrid radars.

The Irbis-E reportedly retains the hybrid phased-array architecture. Its noise figure is slightly worse at 3.5 dB, but the receiver has four rather than three discrete channels.

“The biggest change is in the EGSP-27 transmitter, where the single 7-kilowatt peak-power-rated Chelnok TWT is replaced with a pair of 10-kilowatt peak-power-rated Chelnok tubes, ganged to provide a total peak power rating of 20 kilowatts. The radar is cited as having an average power rating of 5 kilowatts, with a 2-kilowatt CW rating for illumination.”

The detection range has reportedly been increased by almost two times compared with the Su-30SM, for ground targets as well as air and sea targets.

AL-41F-1S (Product 117S) Engine Upgrade

As mentioned earlier, the Su-30SM2 is intended to be powered by the AL-41F-1S engine.

Compared with the Su-30SM’s AL-31FP power plant, the Product 117S offers a 16% increase in maximum thrust (14,500 kgf) and twice the service life (4,000 hours), while retaining the same weight and dimensions.

Importantly, the more powerful Product 117S facilitates increased electrical power generation, allowing more powerful radar and electronic warfare (EW) systems to be fitted on the fighter. The higher-powered Irbis radar of the Su-30SM2 consequently increases the detection range of air and ground targets.

Current Product 117S Status

The initial Su-30SM2 aircraft delivered to the RuAF and Navy were almost certainly not fitted with the Product 117S engine.

In January 2021, a source in the aviation industry told Interfax:

“Currently, special flight tests (SLI) of the Su-30SM aircraft with the AL-41F-1S engine are being carried out. It is planned that they will be completed by December 2023.”

In July 2024, a report published on the Rostec website stated that the Product 117S engine, which was then undergoing testing on the Su-30SM2, would enter mass production the following year.

The UAC press release covering the transfer of the latest batch of Su-30SM2 fighters to the RuAF stated:

“The powerful radar allows the fighter to ‘see’ much farther than the previous version and accurately strike a wide range of ground, air, and naval targets without entering the enemy’s air-defense zone.”

Notably, the press release made no mention of a new engine.

Russian forces have operationally deployed the Su-30SM2 without a more powerful engine in order to leverage the available upgrades to the radar, optical sensors, and weapon systems.

Conclusion

Russian official sources have previously stated that the Product 117S engine is undergoing tests on the Su-30SM2. However, there has been no confirmation that these tests have been successfully completed.

On November 30, 2023, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the modernization of the Indian Air Force’s Su-30MKI fleet by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

As part of this upgrade, HAL will equip the aircraft with the indigenously developed Virupaksha AESA radar, an electronic warfare (EW) suite, and other advanced avionics. Additionally, HAL will integrate several indigenously developed long-range weapon systems into the aircraft’s weapon management system.

The modernization will also extend the service life of the Su-30MKI fleet by more than 20 years, with the IAF reportedly planning to retain the upgraded aircraft until 2055.

However, there have been no reports indicating that HAL plans to upgrade the aircraft’s engine.

It is possible that HAL is awaiting confirmation regarding the suitability of the Product 117S engine for the Su-30MKI before committing to an engine upgrade.

Pinaka LRGR: In-Flight Manoeuvring and Longer-Range Secret Revealed!

Pinaka LRGR Test on July 8, 2026. PIB Photo

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight-tested the Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket (LRGR) at the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, on July 8, 2026.

According to the official statement,

“The rocket was tested for a user-defined minimum range of 60 km. Demonstrating all in-flight manoeuvres as planned, the LRGR impacted the target with textbook precision, exactly following the predicted trajectory.”

Notably,

“The rocket was launched from the in-service Pinaka launcher, demonstrating its versatility and providing launch capability for Pinaka variants of different ranges from the same launcher.”

Earlier Test

Earlier, in its maiden test on December 29, 2025, at the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, the LRGR was tested for its maximum range of 120 km and its in-flight manoeuvring capability. The PIB press release covering the launch stated that “the LRGR impacted the target with textbook precision.”

DAC Clearance

On the same day, December 29, 2025, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh, accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the procurement of LRGR for the Pinaka Multiple Launch Rocket System (MRLS). According to the PIB press release, the LRGR “will enhance the range and accuracy of Pinaka MRLS for effective engagement of high-value targets.”

In January 2025, the Indian Army had reportedly given DRDO an unofficial go-ahead to develop the 120 km-range LRGR for the Pinaka MRLS, as well as a 300 km-range rocket. With a 300 km-range rocket, a future Pinaka variant would transition from a classical rocket artillery system into a quasi-tactical strike system.

The Pinaka MRLS equipped with the LRGR is generally referred to as the Pinaka Mk.3.

Pinaka LRGR

The Pinaka LRGR uses a combination of Inertial Navigation System (INS) based on Ring Laser Gyro technology and multiple GNSS inputs for navigation. Its reported Circular Error Probable (CEP) is less than 10 metres, representing a substantial improvement in accuracy over earlier Pinaka variants.

Its in-flight manoeuvring capability is likely limited to trajectory shaping and the ability to follow preprogrammed flight paths. This is not comparable to the aggressive evasive manoeuvres associated with cruise missiles or hypersonic glide vehicles. Instead, the rocket likely uses controlled aerodynamic adjustments during flight to refine its ballistic trajectory. Such manoeuvring could allow rockets in a salvo to approach the target from different angles and/or arrive almost simultaneously despite staggered launch intervals.

The LRGR’s extended range is achieved through a combination of factors. Although it can be launched from the existing Pinaka launcher, the LRGR itself is understood to use a larger-diameter rocket body, an upgraded rocket motor, a lighter composite casing, and an aerodynamically refined shape that reduces drag and improves glide efficiency during the terminal phase of flight. Together, these features enable the rocket to reach targets at ranges of up to 120 km.

Tornado-S Comparison

For comparison, the Tornado-S is one of Russia’s most capable guided MRLS systems. It uses 300 mm guided rockets and has a reported range of approximately 120 km for standard guided rockets, with some variants reportedly capable of reaching 200 km. Like the Pinaka LRGR, the Tornado-S uses NS/GNSS-based guidance and is designed for precision strikes against high-value targets. However, the Tornado-S generally carries a heavier warhead and larger-calibre rockets, while the Pinaka LRGR offers India a precision-strike capability within the 214 mm Pinaka ecosystem and from the existing in-service launcher.

Predecessor Pinaka Systems

Currently, the most advanced Pinaka MRLS variant operated by the Indian Army is the Pinaka Mk.2 Guided Pinaka Rocket System, which can engage targets from 20 km to 80 km with a reported CEP of about 30 metres.

The Pinaka Mk.2 is a 214 mm-calibre system. It can launch unguided rockets with a maximum range of either 40 km or 60 km, as well as Guided Pinaka rockets with a maximum range of 80 km.

Guided Pinaka rockets, also known as Enhanced Pinaka rockets, feature a 250 kg warhead, canard-based aerodynamic control, and guidance using a combination of Inertial Navigation System (INS) and Satellite Navigation (SATNAV).

The SATNAV system has been integrated with the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), India’s indigenous satellite navigation network.

With the help of trajectory lofting and aerodynamic glide provided by the canards, the Guided Pinaka rocket can achieve a range of 80 km. However, the Guided Pinaka rocket is focused primarily on enhanced accuracy and reduced collateral damage, rather than on significant in-flight manoeuvring.

The Pinaka LRGR has been designed by the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) in association with the High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), with support from the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) and Research Centre Imarat (RCI).

Humanoid Combat Robots: Weapon Systems or the World's First Artificial Soldiers?

China will produce over 100,000 humanoid robots in 2026, according to Gan Xiaobin, Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology under the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. He was speaking at a press conference in Shanghai. (via TASS)

"Large language models, AI agents, and AI chips are advancing at a rapid pace. We expect humanoid robot output to exceed 100,000 units this year," Gan Xiaobin noted.

In February, CNBC reported that the US has started testing two humanoid combat robots in Ukraine, marking the first known deployment of humanoid robots in a combat zone. Developed by San Francisco-based startup Foundation Future Industries, the robots, named Phantom-1, were deployed to Ukraine for frontline logistics and reconnaissance.

Foundation Future has secured approximately $24 million in Pentagon research contracts (from the U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force) to test the humanoids.

Phantom-1 is roughly 5'9"–5'11" tall and weighs 176–180 lb. It is designed to use human weapons and infrastructure such as doors, stairs, and vehicles. It can lift approximately 90 lb and perform physical tasks in complex or high-risk environments. The robot has five-fingered hands, camera-based vision, and an LLM-driven autonomy system that supports both independent operation and supervised teleoperation.

Foundation Future aims to send an upgraded humanoid variant—Phantom-2—to Ukraine later this year.

China is also actively experimenting with humanoids for military applications, including teleoperated demonstrations of complex battlefield tasks.

Operational Fielding Timeline

If current technological progress continues:

Over the next one to three years, platforms like Phantom are likely to be upgraded and fielded in supervised autonomous or teleoperated combat roles. They will undertake high-risk tasks such as urban clearing, resupply under fire, and acting as decoys that draw enemy fire or absorb risk.

It is plausible that, starting as early as 2028—or perhaps as late as 2035—armed humanoid robots will actively participate in direct combat.

Between 2035 and 2045, fully autonomous squad-level humanoid "soldiers" will likely begin replacing human infantry in many battlefield roles.

Why Humanoid Robots?

There is a good reason why robotic soldiers will initially take humanoid form. Battlefield equipment—including transport and combat vehicles, firearms, and drone-launching systems—is designed for human use. Humanoids will be able to operate all equipment developed for humans. Interchangeability between humans and humanoid robots will be critical during the transition period, which could last for decades.

Challenges Persist

Humanoid robots outperform humans in many aspects of soldiering. They possess greater strength, higher load-carrying capacity, superior endurance, greater environmental tolerance, and higher precision. They can also be deployed in numbers limited only by manufacturing capacity. Most importantly, robots completely trounce humans when it comes to expendability.

However, humans outperform robots in mobility over rough terrain, adaptability, judgment, and field-acquired dexterity. As long as food and water are available, humans also exhibit far greater endurance than electrically powered robots.

It is interesting to note that companies developing humanoid robots worldwide are focused on improving endurance, fall recovery, rough-terrain mobility, and dexterity.

Humanoid Vulnerabilities

The vulnerability of humanoid robots to cyberattacks and spoofing, the logistics infrastructure required to support their operation, and their limitations in leadership and command roles will likely require humans and humanoids to operate as teams in the near future—and perhaps even in the more distant future.

However, there can be little doubt that deploying humanoid soldiers will provide a nation with an overwhelming military advantage, particularly if they can be upgraded more rapidly than those of an adversary.

It is also possible that humanoids, together with quadruped robots and UGVs, will never evolve beyond being sophisticated weapon systems that reduce the number of humans required on the battlefield. They may significantly reduce the demand for human soldiers, but they are unlikely to eliminate it entirely.

To some extent, the widespread use of drones has already reduced the number of soldiers required to hold a front in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.