Overhaul of long-range anti-submarine aircraft Tupolev TU-142ME, which are operated by Indian Naval Air Forces, is an important task among the activities of Beriev Aircraft Company (an UAC enterprise).
On August 06, 2014 another India Navy’s long-range ASW aircraft TU-142ME (IN 317) was handed over to the Customer after an overhaul at Beriev premises. The aircraft successfully passed all tests and was finally handed over to the Indian party.
Eight Taganrog-built Tupolev TU-142MEs were handed over to Indian Navy in the late 1980s. In total, the Tupolev TU-142MEs flew 28 thousand hours in over 25 years without any incidents or accidents, and thus gained a good reputation with Indian crews. Indian pilots call this aircraft ‘Albatross’ for its being alike to the beautiful bird.
Another thing which added up to the aircraft recognition is the well-established system of maintenance in India (the most complicated scheduled maintenance activities for the TU-142ME are conducted at INS Hansa) and routine repairs at the Manufacturer facilities in Taganrog. In issues relating to repair and service life extension, Indian Naval Aviation Command closely cooperates with ROSOBORONEXPORT and Beriev Aircraft Company. The Taganrog plant conducted post-sale maintenance and operation support for the aircraft, which were supplied to India (in particular, in terms of repairs and spare parts supplies); the maintenance and support activities were highly praised by Indian specialists. In total, twenty-one overhaul of Indian Navy’s Tupolev TU-142MEs were conducted in 21 years in Taganrog.
