India is set to significantly boost the combat and navigation capabilities of its frontline Su-30MKI fighter jets as the Ministry of Defence has floated a tender to equip 258 aircraft with a new anti-jamming and anti-spoofing navigation system. The move is aimed at ensuring accurate navigation and positioning even during intense electronic warfare and enemy signal disruption attempts. The advanced system will support multiple satellite navigation networks, including India’s indigenous NaVIC, along with GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou and GAGAN.
Officials say the technology will strengthen the Indian Air Force’s operational readiness by providing reliable navigation data in contested environments where enemy forces may attempt to jam or manipulate signals. The project has been opened exclusively to Indian companies under the government’s “Make in India” initiative, giving a major push to indigenous defence manufacturing and self-reliance in military technology.
According to defence sources, the new electronic antenna unit is being designed to effectively counter hostile electronic attacks and maintain precision performance under extreme combat conditions. The upgraded system is expected to function efficiently at altitudes of up to 21 kilometres, speeds of Mach 1.5, and pressure conditions ranging from -2g to 9g. Under the project, the selected company will supply 300 antenna systems, 50 field-level testers, and 10 base-level testers.
The contract also includes aircraft trials, fleet-wide installation, and training for Indian Air Force personnel. As per the Ministry of Defence’s Request for Proposal (RFP), the entire upgrade project must be completed within 24 months of signing the contract. Technical and financial bids are scheduled to be submitted by June 22, 2026. If the timeline proceeds as planned, most of the Indian Air Force’s Su-30MKI fleet could be equipped with the new system by late 2028 or early 2029.
