Flamboyant bid to attract funding and custom (447 words)

Published: 8/13/2001

The Russian Air Force has been demonstrating its capability with large scale firing exercises by Sukhoi's Su-32, Su-30MKK, Su-30KN, Su-27UBM, Su-24M, Su-39, Mil Mi-24VK, Mi-35, Mi-17N, Mi-8MTKO and Ka-50N at the air force's main flight test (GLITS) near Akhtyubinsk in Southern Russia. The demonstration, which took place on 6th and 7th August in front of government officials and the air attaches of nations close to Russia, appeared to be aimed at fulfilling two basic functions. The first was to emphasize the need for sufficient funding from the budget to continue the upgrades shown at the event; the second, to demonstrate the capability of the aircraft through a series of firings of guided and unguided weapons, during both day and at night, to potential export customers. The Su-30MKI and the Ka-52 are also reported to have flown during the two days. Currently, the air force plans to complete the testing of the ongoing upgrades of the Su-30, Su-27UB, Su-25, Su-24, Mi-24 and Mi-8 by the end of 2001, with potential implementation starting in 2002. This is in line with the air force's strategy of gaining improved performance from the in-service fleet, in the absence of major funding for new aircraft. According to General Yuri Klishin, Deputy Commander of the air force with responsibility for procurement, the upgrade packages for the four major Sukhoi types in service have already been developed and are ready to be rolled out. The aim is to improve the air force's performance, in terms of adding additional combat roles for existing aircraft, better night capability and improved control through datalinks, while keeping within the air force's tight budget constraints. Some upgrades of major service types still remain uncertain, particularly in the case of the MiG-29 fleet. Despite the existence of the MiG-29SMT and its current evaluation at GLITS, the air force has made it clear that it does not see the SMT as the model for its own upgrades. Klishin commented that the air force had already chosen the upgrade path for the aircraft and it did not involve for example, the installation of new radar, as considerable upgrading of existing systems was possible and the SMT package was simply too expensive. He was, however, supportive of MiG's efforts to export the package, although many of the existing operators of the aircraft have similar funding problems. The future of the development programmes for new aircraft is also by no means secure. The Su-32 strike aircraft, having completed unguided weapons tests and due to start guided weapons firing in September-October, still remains beyond the current budget and no orders are presently forthcoming.

Article ID: 2701