Aerospace Equipment Corporation aims to improve after-sales service (260 words)

Published: 2/15/2001

During a week of intensive Indo-Russian aerospace agreements, Aerospace Equipment Corporation and Hindustan Aeronautic Limited have been negotiating the opening of a spare parts/service facility in India. Sergei Bodrunov, General Director of St Petersburg-based Aerospace Equipment Corporation, says that the centre will provide spares, overhaul and maintenance for Russian aircraft delivered to India; in addition to the Su-30MKI to be built under licence in India. Aerospace Equipment is to supply radar, control systems, a whole range of electro-hydraulic components, 1,000 electrical connectors (200 types), flight data recorder Tester UZ and other equipment - all under the terms of the agreement reached in December 2000 between Rosoboronexport and HAL. The Russian government will soon issue a decree covering the opening of the warehouse and India will announce its partners. The opening of the facility will improve the generally low level of Russian after-sales support, maintenance and provision of spare parts throughout the region. The intention is to attempt to redress a depressing situation for the Russian aerospace industry, in which a good customer cannot get adequate spare parts and servicing. It has become so bad lately, that the Indian Ministry of Defence has proposed that India should become self-sufficient in the production of spare parts for Russian aircraft, by 2005.Although unlikely, it illustrates the frustration over the lack of spare parts and the rising cost of those available. For Aerospace Equipment Corporation the new contract adds to a provisional order book of $970m - $380m already confirmed.

Article ID: 2363