The Indian Air Force contingent of seven Sukohi-30 MKI returned to India on 10 August 2024 after participating in the bilateral Exercise Udara Shakti 2024 with the Royal Malaysian Air Force.

The Royal Malaysian Air Force hosted Exercise Udara Shakti 2024 at its base in Kuantan, Malaysia, from 6-9 August 2024.

The opening ceremony of Exercise Udara Shakti 2024 was attended by the Indian Air Force Team leader, Group Captain Ajay Rathi, Deputy High Commissioner of India to Malaysia, Ms Subhashini Narayanan and senior officers of the Royal Malaysian Air Force.

SU-30 Planes in Exercise Udara Shakti 2024

In Exercise Udara Shakti 2024, the Indian Air Force and the Malaysian Royal Air Force deployed seven Sukhoi-30 (SU-30) fighter planes in their service.

Both countries have bought the Sukhoi-30 fighter plane from Russia. The majority of the Sukhoi -30 planes with the Indian Air Force have been produced within India by the public-sector company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) under license from Russia.

Along with Russia, the Indian Air Force is one of the largest operators of Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jets. The Indian variant of the Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jet is called the Su-30MKI (Modernizirovannyy Kommercheskiy Indiyskiy, meaning “Modernised Commercial for India.”)

Features of the Exercise Udara Shakti 2024

The Exercise Udara Shakti 2024 was based on Training Exercises and Subject Matter Expert Exchange concepts. The Training Exercises included air combat exercises involving the Su-30 planes of both countries.

The Subject Matter Expert Exchange focused on sharing expertise, insights, and skills in aviation and engineering related to the Sukhoi-30 aircraft.

Exercise Udara Shakti 2024 also featured the HOP Exercise, during which the pilots of both the Air Force flew and exchanged their Sukhoi fighter planes. The Indian pilot flew the Malaysian Su-30, while the Malaysian pilot flew the Indian SU-30MKI.

The main goals of the HOP EX were to test fighter aircraft, exchange ideas and experiences regarding combat tactics, and explore differences in aircraft equipment functionality.