sudhir007
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Zhukovshy, Russia: Russian officials at MAKS 2009 (August 18 to 22) were upbeat about defence relations with India. The IAF will soon sign a contract for 50 additional Su-30MKI aircraft, and 40 more Mi-171V helicopters. Indian and Russian officials held extensive talks on upgrade of Su-30MKI and on modifications to carry BrahMos cruise missile on the aircraft. This is not all. According to Russian officials, the partnership on the fifth generation aircraft, PAK FA (T-50) and the Multi-purpose Transport Aircraft (MTA) is on schedule. Notwithstanding the uncertainty over INS Vikramaditya (Admiral Gorshkov), the first batch of MiG-29K/KUB fighters will be delivered to India by end this year. The remaining two IL-38SD aircraft of the Indian Navy with Russia since five years would also head home. And Russians are superbly confident of MiG-35s successful participation in the 126 M-MRCA competition. They have also decided to field Kamov Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopter for the IAFs 22 attack helicopter tender. With so much on the bilateral platter, Indian officials were Russians favourite flavour at the air show.
Back in New Delhi, senior IAF officials confirmed that the case for Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for 50 additional Su-30MKI has been sent to the defence ministry. (This is over and above the earlier 40 Su-30MKI being sought from Russia. With 230 aircraft to be assembled by HAL, the IAF will now have a total of 320 Su-30MKI aircraft.) As this purchase will be on a fast track basis to arrest depleting force levels, it would take a maximum of three months for clearance by the Cabinet Committee on Security, after which the contract would be signed. Considering that all this would be a formality, both sides discussed and agreed on the production schedule of these additional aircraft at MAKS-2009. The cost of these aircraft would be higher than the earlier lots. By how much, both sides remained tight-lipped, with one official finally saying that each aircraft could cost 10 per cent more. This single order is upwards of Rs 20,000 crore.
IAF sources told FORCE that the need for more Su-30MKI has been necessitated by the slippages in the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme. Both the Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) set for December 2010, and the Final Operational Clearance (FOC) expected by the year 2012, are unlikely to be met. IAF officials say in private that the LCA programme has to be supported on grounds of indigenisation. While the air force has placed orders for 20 LCA, the option for another 20 aircraft would take a long time to come about. This is certainly not good news, especially for the programme director and Director, Aeronautical Development Agency, Dr P.S. Subramanyam. Speaking exclusively to FORCE in June 2008, he had said that, I am clear that I will get another 20 aircraft order from the IAF in the second half of 2008. Moreover, by 2012-2013, I am certain to demonstrate the re-engined aircraft to the IAF. I am confident that the new engine will satisfy the IAF requirements and they will release the order for number of aircraft beyond 40.
FORCE - A Complete News Magazine on National Security - Defence Magazine
Back in New Delhi, senior IAF officials confirmed that the case for Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for 50 additional Su-30MKI has been sent to the defence ministry. (This is over and above the earlier 40 Su-30MKI being sought from Russia. With 230 aircraft to be assembled by HAL, the IAF will now have a total of 320 Su-30MKI aircraft.) As this purchase will be on a fast track basis to arrest depleting force levels, it would take a maximum of three months for clearance by the Cabinet Committee on Security, after which the contract would be signed. Considering that all this would be a formality, both sides discussed and agreed on the production schedule of these additional aircraft at MAKS-2009. The cost of these aircraft would be higher than the earlier lots. By how much, both sides remained tight-lipped, with one official finally saying that each aircraft could cost 10 per cent more. This single order is upwards of Rs 20,000 crore.
IAF sources told FORCE that the need for more Su-30MKI has been necessitated by the slippages in the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme. Both the Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) set for December 2010, and the Final Operational Clearance (FOC) expected by the year 2012, are unlikely to be met. IAF officials say in private that the LCA programme has to be supported on grounds of indigenisation. While the air force has placed orders for 20 LCA, the option for another 20 aircraft would take a long time to come about. This is certainly not good news, especially for the programme director and Director, Aeronautical Development Agency, Dr P.S. Subramanyam. Speaking exclusively to FORCE in June 2008, he had said that, I am clear that I will get another 20 aircraft order from the IAF in the second half of 2008. Moreover, by 2012-2013, I am certain to demonstrate the re-engined aircraft to the IAF. I am confident that the new engine will satisfy the IAF requirements and they will release the order for number of aircraft beyond 40.
FORCE - A Complete News Magazine on National Security - Defence Magazine
