Monday, Dec 20, 2004
India, Russia discuss upgrading of Su-30MKI
By Vladimir Radyuhin
MOSCOW, DEC. 19. India and Russia are discussing plans for joint futuristic upgrades of the Su-30MKI multi-role fighter plane, the Russian manufacturer of the aircraft said.
"We are engaged in consultations on a step-by-step modernisation of the Su-30MKI aimed at enhancing its combat performance over the next couple of decades," said Mr. Alexei Fyodorov, head of the Irkut Aircraft Building Corporation.
Under licence accord with Russia, India will indigenously build 140 Su-30MKI fighters over the next 17 years.
"It is obvious the plane cannot stay unchanged for such a long period of time," Mr. Fyodorov said. "It has a big potential for avionics and weapons upgrades, thanks to its open-ended architecture."
Speaking in Moscow to mark the completion of delivery this month of 50 Su-30 aircraft ordered by India in 1996 and 1998, Mr. Fyodorov said work had already begun to fit the Su-30MKI with the India-Russia BrahMos anti-ship supersonic missile.
Mr. Fyodorov, who in addition to Irkut also heads the MiG aircraft corporation since last month, expressed confidence that Russia will fully honour its contract for the supply of MiG-29K deck aircraft for the Gorshkov aircraft carrier.
"The experience we gained in building the Su-30MKI will help us build MiG-29K, especially since many sub-contractors will be the same," Mr. Fyodorov said.
Copyright © 2004, The Hindu.