IAF Su-30MKI makes maiden landing at Navi Mumbai Airport, marking major aviation milestone
In a significant milestone for Indian aviation, an Indian Air Force (IAF) Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jet successfully completed its maiden landing at the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), highlighting the airport’s growing operational capabilities.
The landing marks a key moment in the airport’s development as it integrates with India’s expanding civil and defence aviation infrastructure. The aircraft’s touchdown demonstrates both the readiness of NMIA and the Indian Air Force’s ability to operate seamlessly across modern civilian-run runways.
The Navi Mumbai International Airport, located in Ulwe in Raigad district, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in October 2025, with commercial operations beginning in December 2025. It serves as a second major aviation hub for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region alongside Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.
Earlier trials at the airport included a C-295 medium tactical transport aircraft, while the Su-30MKI had previously only performed a flypast during pre-inauguration tests. The latest landing therefore marks the first operational touchdown of a frontline fighter jet at the facility.
The Su-30MKI, jointly developed by Sukhoi Design Bureau and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), is a twin-engine multirole fighter capable of speeds up to Mach 1.9 and remains one of the Indian Air Force’s most advanced combat aircraft.
