India has officially initiated the ₹65,000 crore "Super Sukhoi" modernisation programme, taking a major step by issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) to equip its Su-30MKI fighter fleet with advanced indigenous anti-jamming and anti-spoofing multi-constellation GPS antenna systems, according to Times Now. The upgrade aims to provide reliable navigation capability even in intense electronic warfare conditions by enabling simultaneous connectivity with NaVIC, GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo and GAGAN satellite networks.

The Ministry of Defence has limited the bidding process to Indian companies, seeking technically competent and financially strong Indigenous Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) or suppliers. The Directorate of Projects, Su-30, representing the President of India, stated that non-OEM bidders must submit certification proving authorised access to equipment and spare parts from the OEM. The move aligns with India’s Defence Acquisition Procedure policy focused on boosting domestic manufacturing and reducing reliance on imports.

The Indian Air Force currently operates nearly 260 Su-30MKI fighter jets, most of them produced in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited under licence from Russia’s Sukhoi Design Bureau. As the backbone of the IAF’s combat fleet, ensuring these aircraft remain operational in contested environments is considered vital. Electronic warfare threats such as jamming and spoofing can disrupt or manipulate navigation signals, but the new antenna system is intended to counter both by leveraging multiple satellite constellations simultaneously.

The technology will integrate with India’s indigenous NaVIC navigation network developed by ISRO, ensuring sovereign and uninterrupted navigation coverage over India and surrounding regions. It will also support GAGAN, the satellite-based augmentation system jointly developed by ISRO and the Airports Authority of India, improving navigation precision and compatibility with global systems like WAAS and EGNOS.

The technical requirements outlined in the RFP are extensive. The antenna must operate throughout the Su-30MKI’s flight range, including altitudes up to 21 km, speeds of Mach 1.5, and manoeuvres between -2g and 9g. It should be capable of suppressing single jamming sources by up to 85 decibels and multiple simultaneous threats by up to 80 decibels, placing it among high-end military anti-jam solutions.

Under the contract, 300 antenna units, 50 field-level testers and 10 base-level testers will be delivered. Before fleet-wide installation, certification trials will be carried out on two aircraft. IAF personnel will also undergo specialised training at the 9 TETTRA School, the Air Force’s advanced avionics and technical training centre.

The programme is expected to be completed within two years of contract finalisation. Bids are due by 22 June 2026, while technical evaluations will begin the following day. The anti-jamming navigation upgrade forms part of the broader “Super Sukhoi” enhancement initiative, which also includes the indigenous Virupaksha AESA radar based on Gallium Nitride technology, upgraded electronic warfare systems, and self-protection jammer pods. Collectively, these improvements are intended to keep the Su-30MKI combat-ready for future network-centric warfare scenarios and extend its operational relevance into the 2050s, while strengthening India’s domestic defence manufacturing ecosystem.