The maintenance and repair center for Sukhoi fighters will be opened in Malaysia in 2012, RIA Novosti reports. It has been declared by the head of delegation of United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), Alexander Klementyev, during LIMA-2011 show.

Russia has earlier delivered 18 Sukhoi fighters to Malaysia. Russian Federation is one of the front-runners of Malaysian tender on acquisition of 18 fighters, which will be issued in 2012.

"The parties (Russia and Malaysia) have confirmed that the center will be opened in 2012 and it will service the fighters, which have earlier been delivered to Malaysia", - said Klementyev. The center will be opened at Hong Cedac air base.

Klementyev has noted that Russia have fully performed its obligations regarding start of the center’s work. "All the equipment has been delivered. And now it resides in Malaysia", - said Klementyev.

Su-30 and its modifications are very popular in South-East Asia. They are operated by Vietnam, India, Indonesia, Malaysia and China.

Russia has delivered 18 MiG-29 fighters to Malaysia in 1994-1995. The next contract on delivery of 18 Su-30MKM fighters has been completed in 2009. In addition, 12 Mi-171Sh military transport helicopters have been delivered to Malaysia.