Irkut Corporation (part of UAC) discussed the status and future of Su-30MKI program with its Indian partners at Aero India 2015 airshow, the corporation’s press-service reports.
«Su-30 MKI fighters are essential part of Indian air forces’ fleet. The jets have proven their capabilities many times in the network of day-to-day operation and international maneuvers, where the vehicles demonstrated their superiority over most types of state-of-the-art combat aircraft. Under the signed contracts enterprises of Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd are manufacturing over 80% of Su-30MKI fighters operated by Indian air forces. HAL Corporation has mastered the fourth phase of the licensed production, which assumes the full cycle of the jet’s production, starting from machining and treatment of raw materials. In order to assure the rigorous implementation of the production program, Irkut Corporation transferred all the necessary technologies to HAL Corporation and shared the experience in the area of Su-30MK mass production,» the press-service noted.
Over 150 Indian enterprises are taking part in production of Su-30MKI fighters. Su-30MK fighters delivered by Irkut Corporation to third countries are fitted with high-tech products manufactured in India. One of the most important milestones achieved by HAL is mastering the overhaul of Su-30MKI fighters with the assistance of Irkut Corporation’s specialists. Today HAL is the only enterprise in the world to carry out this complex repair. The first Su-30MKI fighter was overhauled and delivered to Indian air forces in January 2015. The cooperation program includes expansion of capabilities in the area of after-sales support of Su-30MKI jets in India.
It is planned that Indian scientific organizations and enterprises will be taking part in Su-30MKI upgrade program, which should expand the jet’s combat capabilities. Designers are working on integrating Russian-Indian BrahMos missile into the weapon system of Su-30MKI; this weapon will significantly expand the combat capabilities of this unique combat aircraft, Irkut Corporation added.
President of Irkut Corporation, Oleg Demchenko, said: «Cooperation between Irkutsk Aviation Plant and Indian enterprises was started over 30 years ago in the network of licensed production of MiG-27 fighter-bomber. Together with our partners we have managed to achieve great results within the framework of Su-30MKI program. I am confident that we can develop our cooperation in the network of new projects, for example, development of MS-21».
