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HAL to begin delivery of Su-30 jets next year
Wednesday, 05 February 2003, 20:30 IST
BANGALORE: Indian aviation major Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will deliver the first batch of indigenously manufactured Su-30MKI jets to the Indian Air Force (IAF) next year, a senior official said here Tuesday.
"We have started manufacturing the aircraft at our Koraput plant (in Orissa). We will be able to deliver 17 a year," said N.R. Mohanty, chairman of state-owned HAL.
"And we will deliver 140 Su-30MKIs in the next 10 years to the IAF."
Under a $3.3 billion deal signed by India and Russia, HAL will build the Su-30MKIs using technology provided under licence by Russia's Sukhoi. This is HAL's largest manufacturing programme so far.
HAL has manufactured a wide array of Russian-designed fighters, including the MiG-21 and MiG-29, in past decades.
The Su-30MKI will serve as the IAF's main strike aircraft in the coming years. India had earlier signed two contracts with Russia to purchase 50 Su-30MKIs.
Under the "deep licence" agreement signed with Russia, Sukhoi has provided technology to HAL for manufacturing the powerful Al-31FP engines used in the Su-30MKI, considered one of the world's most versatile multi-role combat aircraft.
The jet, which will be flown during Aero India aerospace exhibition here February 5-9, is equipped with advanced avionics supplied by Israeli, French and South African companies.
The Su-30MKI is capable of delivering nuclear weapons as well as air-to-air refuelling.
HAL is also expected to sign a memorandum of understanding with Israeli Aircraft Industries (IAI) to market its advanced light helicopter (ALH) globally.
The agreement will allow the Israeli firm to integrate its avionics on the ALH. HAL has already begun limited production of the ALH and supplied some of the helicopters to the Indian armed forces.
HAL will promote a civilian version ALH at Aero India, opening Wednesday at the Yelahanka air force base near here.
But India is treading cautiously in selling products such as the ALH in the global market.
"For example, it can be purchased by one country and ... sold to countries inimical to India. So a stringent export regime will be followed," N.S. Sisodia, secretary for defence production and supplies, told a news conference.
Source: IANS
Source: IANS