Indian Air Force's Sukhoi Jets to Get AI Edge with IIT Bombay | Spotlight | N18G

Added: 2026-05-30

[00:00:00]Now, India's Sukhoi or Su-30 MKI fighter jets are set to become smarter, faster, and battle ready. In a major boost to military aviation, the Indian Air Force and IIT Bombay have joined hands to build an advanced AI-powered predictive maintenance system for the frontline fighter fleet. The move is being seen as a major step towards India's defense modernization and technological self-reliance. India's air power is indeed getting a high-tech upgrade. The Air Force has has signed three major contracts with IIT Bombay in the presence of Air Marshal KAA Sanjeev and the lead institute's director Shirish B.

[00:00:38]Kedare.

[00:00:39]Officials say the project will bring cutting-edge indigenous technology into the Indian Air Force's ecosystem.

[00:00:47]>> This paradigm shift will strengthen IAF's operational readiness, deepen technical self-reliance, and accelerate the march of Indian aerospace technology towards the frontiers of predictive, data-driven engineering. This collaboration showcases the technological prowess of our academia to develop futuristic systems in India.

[00:01:10]>> So, what exactly is predictive maintenance? Now, imagine a fighter jet warning engineers about a problem before a breakdown actually happens. That is exactly what this system aims to do.

[00:01:21]Artificial intelligence will perform real-time monitoring as sensors and data analytics continuously track aircraft performance. The benefits could be massive: faster repairs, lower maintenance cost, reduced aircraft downtime, improved safety, and most importantly, better mission readiness for the Indian Air Force.

[00:01:40]Officials say aircraft will remain combat ready for longer periods. Now, IIT Bombay has called the partnership a major technological leap for India's aerospace sector.

[00:01:50]The institute says the project will deepen India's self-reliance in strategic defense technologies. What makes this deal even more significant is that the entire system will rely on fully indigenous research and engineering developed in India, a direct push for PM Modi's government's Make in India initiative. The Su-30 MKI is one of the most important fighter aircraft in the Indian Air Force. It is the backbone of the IAF fighter fleet. India operates more than 270 Su-30 MKI jets.

[00:02:21]And these aircraft are used for air superiority missions, long-range strike operations, and strategic defense roles.

[00:02:28]The timing of this partnership is also crucial. India is already heavily modernizing its Su-30 MKI fleet. The current upgrade is being carried out under India's ambitious Super Sukhoi program.

[00:02:41]New AESA radars are being integrated.

[00:02:44]Electronic warfare systems are being upgraded. More indigenous weapons are being added. And now, AI-enabled maintenance systems are entering the picture.

[00:02:54]Experts believe predictive maintenance can dramatically improve the lifespan and operational efficiency of fighter aircraft. AI-based systems will also help commanders take faster technical decisions during critical situations.

[00:03:07]Officials say the technology could eventually support future Indian fighter jet programs, as well.

[00:03:13]That's giving a major boost to India's aerospace innovation ecosystem.

[00:03:18]For India, this this is not just about maintaining fighter jets. It is about building a smarter air force powered by Indian technology.

[00:03:28]Now, this marks a step towards a future where fighter jets can predict failures, reduce downtime, and stay mission ready at all times. And with this, India's defense modernization story may be entering an entirely new era.

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