Sukhoi expects to generate revenues of $7bn over three to four years

Published: 1/18/2000

Mikhail Pogosyan, General Director of Sukhoi, has said that the company intends to expand its market into the Pacific Rim, Latin America and the Middle East. Sukhoi has reported that it generated $1 billion revenues in 1999 and expects to generate $7 billion over the next three to four years, although no further financial details have been provided. According to Pogosyan, Malaysia is seriously considering the Su-30KI heavyweight twin-engine fighter as a contender to meet the requirements of the Royal Malaysian Air Force for a long-range multirole strike fighter. He added that Sukhoi would be willing to discuss licensed production in Malaysia. According to other reports when Sukhoi presented the aircraft in Australia in November, it was suggested that Hawker De Havilland may get the opportunity to manufacture the composite wings for the eight aircraft required as a sweetener for a possible deal with Australia currently seeking a replacement for the F-111 and the F-18 under its Air 6000 requirement. Other sources at Sukhoi suggest that Malaysia is also looking at the single seat Su-39 (export version of the Su-25TM) attack aircraft, to supplement or replace BAe Hawks. The Su-39 is a modernised all weather antitank version of the Su-25 Gratch close support aircraft, capable of carrying precision weapons, such as the RV-AEE long-range air-to-air missile, Kh-31P and Kh-31A anti-ship missiles, Rh-25, Rh-29 and the tube launched AT-X-16 Vikhr air-to-surface missiles. Malaysia is reported to be impressed with the Su-39"s ability to hit pinpoint targets, using Vikhr laser-beam-riding missiles in poor weather conditions, and has asked Sukhoi to bring one of the two Su-39s that have been built to Malaysia for evaluation in the local environment. The Russian Air Force is reported to have used a group of semi-experimental Su-25Ts (T denoting tank) in Chechnya, for strikes against small and moving targets with Vikhr and Rh-25 laser-guided missiles. Su-25s normally carry unguided bombs and rockets.

Article ID: 1327