Indian press reports say some IAF Su-30s have serious defects

Published: 12/7/1999

The Indian newspaper, Pioneer, quoting a high ranking Indian defence source, has reported that the Indian Air Force is experiencing problems with its Su-30MKIs, similar to those encountered with the MiG-27, when it was alleged that 70% of the aircraft had engine defects. The primary cause appears to be the aircraft AL-31F engines, four of which were reported to have serious defects and required the engines to be returned to the factory. Neither the Russian nor the Indian side appears interested in blowing the reports out of proportion. The Indian Embassy in Moscow, particularly, were keen to emphasise to Kommersant that the aircraft was a highly complex piece of aerospace technology, that delays were to be expected and should not be over-dramatised. Difficulties with the programme are, however, ongoing, according to reports, stemming from a continuing debate about the avionics in the final version of the Indian Su-30MKI, which will form the basis of the refit of the earlier aircraft, delivered to India since early 1997 under the $1.8 billion contract. According to the reports, the Indian Ministry of Defence and the Indian Air Force have yet to decide on the additional package of avionics to be supplied by French producer, Sextant and radar from an Israeli manufacturer. The problems with the Su-30MKI programme come at an unfortunate time for Russian aerospace manufacturers, eager to share in a considerable flow of Indian aerospace orders.

Article ID: 1185