The Indian Air Force has signed three contracts with Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) for the adoption of predictive maintenance technologies for the IAF’s Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter aircraft fleet.
The initiative marks a significant step towards integrating advanced prognostic and prescriptive maintenance technologies into Indian military aviation using fully indigenous expertise and technological solutions developed at IIT Bombay.
Officials stated that the collaboration aims to create a paradigm shift in aircraft maintenance by leveraging predictive, data-driven engineering techniques to improve operational efficiency, aircraft availability, and mission readiness.
The project is expected to strengthen the operational preparedness of the Su-30 MKI fleet while deepening India’s technical self-reliance under the broader vision of “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” in strategic defence technologies.
The contracts focus on the use of advanced analytics and indigenous technological capabilities to enable proactive maintenance systems capable of identifying potential failures before they occur, thereby reducing downtime and enhancing fleet performance.
The contract signing ceremony was presided over by Air Marshal KAA Sanjeeb, AVSM, VSM, Director General (Aircraft) of the Indian Air Force, and Professor Shireesh B Kedare, Director of IIT Bombay.
Officials noted that the collaboration reflects the growing synergy between India’s defence forces and academic institutions in developing next-generation indigenous aerospace technologies and futuristic defence systems.
