Equipping some eight operational
squadrons (Nos. 2, 9, 10, 18, 22, 29, 51, 222) and one training establishment (TACDE), the
MiG-27ML forms the backbone of the Indian Air Force’s strike fleet. The IAF’s
MiG-27 fleet is also relatively young, with the oldest airframe at 16 years and the
youngest at 4. These two factors have ensured that upgrading the MiG-27 is high on the
IAF’s list of priorities. The bulk of the equipment and avionics fitted on the MiG-27
were developed in the 1970s and requires replacement. The IAF’s upgrade program aims
to keep the type in frontline service till 2020. Unlike the IAF’s MiG-21 upgrade
program, the MiG-27 upgrade will primarily be an in-country affair, with Hindustan
Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) Nasik Division acting as the primary contractor. To this
end HAL is expanded the Design Department at the Nasik Division into a full-fledged
Bureau, re-designated as the Aircraft Upgrade Research and Design Centre (AURDC), in 1996.
AURDC is heavily involved in the re-design and structural modifications of the aircraft as
part of the upgrade. It is believed that the first aircraft have already been taken in
hand for re-building and upgradation. The IAF has recently earmarked some US$ 200 million
for the upgrade of 50 aircraft for this financial year. It is expected that at least 140
of the 180 aircraft will be upgraded as part of this program.
Update parameters for the MiG-27 are as follows:
- Performance improvement for multi-mission tasks including accurate ground attacks and
Stand off precision attacks, offensive air support and suppression of ground air defenses
- Installation of modern flexible system architecture to reduce pilot's workload and thus
increase efficiency through better man-machine interface.
- Modern weapon integration to enhance mission capability
- Enhancement of mission reliability.
- Fitment of a sophisticated EW suite to enhance survivability in hostile electronic
environment, enhancement of the pilot's comfort and efficiency through improvement in
cockpit air-conditioning;
- Increase in aircraft range with in-flight refueling
- Finally reduction in the maintenance requirements.
The capabilities of the aircraft are being enhanced by the
incorporation of modern avionics systems consisting primarily of two Multi-Function
Displays (MFDs) Mission and Display Processor (MDP), Sextant Ring Laser Gyros (RLG INSI),
combined GPS/GLANOSS navigation, HUD with UFCP, Digital Map Generator (DMG), jam-resistant
Secured Communication, stand-by UHF communication, data link and a comprehensive
Electronic Warfare (EW) Suite. A mission planning and retrieval facility, VTR and HUD
Camera will also be fitted. The aircraft will retain stand-by (conventional)
instrumentation, including artificial horizon, altimeter and airspeed indicator, to cater
for the failure of HUD and the MFDs.
Litening LDP
The installation of a new Radar Warning System together with automated
flare and chaff dispensers will bring the MiG-27s up to modified MiG-23BN standards as far
as countermeasures are concerned. Sensor updates include Forward Looking Infra Red (FLIR),
Laser Designation Pod (LDP), L-Band Homer and Reconnaissance Pods. It is believed that the
Israeli Litening pod has been selected as to fit the FLIR/LDP requirements. The system is
already in use with the IAF and was combat proven during the Kargil war of 1999. Indeed
the decision to go for a podded system rather than an integral one was dictated by the
flexibility that such systems offer. The British Vinten VICON 18 Srs 601GP(-1) 241 kg (531
lb) long-range (450 mm lens) optical pod has been selected as the standard recce pod and
has already entered IAF service. The MiG-27s are also being endowed with radar capability.
To this end, it is believed that trials with the Russian Komar pod mounted radar have
already begun. The Komar is a light weight version of the multi-mode Super Kopyo being
installed on Indian MiG-21s as part of the its upgrade program. The installation of the
radar would give the MiG-27s anti-ship and some air-to-air capability. Other foreign
equipment that form part of the upgrade include Data Link systems and Night Vision Goggles
(NVG).
HAL (Hyderabad Division) systems being considered are Secured
Communication System INCOM-1210A, radio altimeter RAM-1701A, 1FF- 1410A and stand-by UHF
Communication System COM-1150A, Besides the existing conventional weapons, new weapons
such as 1000 lb laser guided bombs. For improvement in cockpit air-conditioning, a new
turbo cooler will be installed. The system developed by HAL (Lucknow Division) is capable
of handling an additional mass flow of 250 kg/hr which would reduce the cockpit
temperature by some 7
