Bengaluru: Irkut Corporation, a UAC member, which showcases the multi-role Su-30 MKI combat jets at the biennial air show, has announced that hi-tech components manufactured by Indian companies are being shipped as spares for the Su-30MKI/SM family of fighter aircraft to air forces across the world.
A release by Irkut Corporation said the Su-30MKI programme has become a vivid example of the implementation of "Make in India" strategy. An international team of Russian and Indian experts determined the performance of the aircraft, accurately predicting development trends of combat aviation. The absolute majority of Su-30MKI fighters of the Indian Air Force fleet are manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. Production of aircraft continues, providing not only the needs of the Indian Air Force, but also the loading of national industrial enterprises.
It said the programme for overhauling Su-30MKI aircraft is gaining momentum. In accordance with "Make in India" strategy, the entire repair infrastructure is deployed and built up at national enterprises with the help of Irkut Corporation. Indian high-tech components are shipped as part of the Su-30MKI/SM family of fighters to foreign countries. The aircraft of this family are deservedly popular in the world.
The Russian Ministry of Defense is implementing a long-term program for the supply of Su-30SM fighters to Aerospace Forces and Naval Aviation. As a result of its consistent implementation, the Su-30SM aircraft became the most massive new fighter aircraft of the Russian Armed Forces. Kazakhstan, Belarus and Armenia - Russia's closest allies in the Collective Security Treaty Organization - have chosen Su-30SM as the main prospective combat aircraft.
The scope of modernization of Su-30MKI and Su-30SM fighters is expanding in India and Russia. Indian scientists and designers, working together with their Russian colleagues, have integrated advanced models of aviation weapons. Among them is a unique heavy supersonic rocket of the Russian-Indian enterprise BrahMos. In January 2019, the first modernized Su-30SM fighters with enhanced combat capabilities were presented to the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation Sergey Shoigu at the Irkut Corporation plant for the first time.
Yuri Slusar, President of UAC and Irkut Corporation emphasizes: "We highly appreciate the experience of working together on the Su-30MKI program and the atmosphere of mutual understanding between Russian and Indian specialists that has developed over many years. Continuation and development of cooperation in this program is our priority task," the release added.
