March 04, 2013: The Iron Fist fire power demonstration over the Thar Desert last month has spelt bad news for the Su-30MKI. Things started off on a bad note on February 19 when a Su-30MKI crashed during a night bombing and flying training mission over Pokhran, the full rehearsal ahead of Iron Fist three days later. This was the fourth accident of the venerable and relatively new Su-30 fleet and therefore a major cause for concern. Sources indicate that there may have been certain problems with weapon release.

The IAF's fears were proved again when two Su-MKIs at Iron Fist failed to deploy their ordnance or PGMs, circuiting the theatre and returning without dropping their weapons as a result of a suspected release malfunction. Sources indicate that the IAF is looking into the problems that have cropped up with the platform, to rectify them at the earliest. The Su-30MKI is currently virtually the mainstay of the IAF's air defence fleet and is also up for a phased upgrade as part of the 'Super Sukhoi' programme currently under discussion between the IAF, HAL and Rosoboronexport. IAF Su-30MKIs will also be participating at the Red Flag Nellis multination air exercise in the US later this year.