The Sukhoi Su-30MKI is a twinjet air superiority fighter built under licence by India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the Indian Air Force (IAF). A variant of the Sukhoi Su-30 of Russia, it is a heavy, all-weather, long-range fighter. The aircraft is tailor-made for Indian specifications and integrates Indian systems and avionics as well as French and Israeli sub-systems. The air frame is constructed of titanium and high-strength aluminium alloys, it has a range of 3,000 km with internal fuel which ensures a 3.75 hour combat mission. Also, it has an in-flight refueling (IFR) probe that retracts beside the cockpit during normal operation. The air refuelling system increases the flight duration upto 10 hours with a range of 8,000 km a cruise height of 11 to 13 km.

The aircraft is fitted with a satellite navigation system which permits it to make flights in all weather, day and night. The Sukhoi Su-30MKI is the most potent fighter jet in service with the Indian Air Force in the late '00s. The MKIs are often fielded by the IAF in bilateral and multilateral air exercises.