The first Russian-made Su-30MKI variant was accepted into the Indian Air Force in 2002, while the first indigenously assembled Su-30MKI entered service with the IAF in 2004.
In 2007, the IAF ordered 40 additional MKIs. The IAF has 157 Su-30MKIs in service as of January 2013. It plans to have a fleet of 272.
The Su-30MKI is expected to form the backbone of the Indian Air Force's fighter fleet to 2020 and beyond.