Sources report struggle between two fighter producers (800 words)

Published: 9/25/2000

It appears that the struggle between the rival groups of VPK Sukhoi and RSK MiG continues and is being actively fought over orders from India ahead of President Putin's visit to the county in October. The view from some quarters is that Sukhoi believe that the Indian order for naval fighters, expected to be signed or at least confirmed during Putin's visit, should not actually be awarded to the MiG-29K, an aircraft that failed to meet the requirements of the Russian Navy, which awarded its carrier borne fighter contract to the Su-33K. The same sources believe that a delay in the contract due to unconfirmed reports of difficulties funding the purchase by the Indians. Leaving the opportunity for Sukhoi to develop a lighter weight Su-33K or even offer the single engined Su-35 aircraft to operate from the deck of the Admiral Gorshkov, a Russian carrier due to be transferred to the Indian Navy. There is reported to be a view within the Russian industry that the Indian will be guided to this decision and that the commonality with the air force's Su-30MKI may help them make it. It is unclear whether the Indians intend to delay the signing of any contracts from local media sources, in fact the only debate at present appears to be whether the order will be for the low end of the range of 20 aircraft or the 65 MiG-29Ks initially discussed, although sources within MiG expect the order to be confirmed later this year rather than during Putin's visit. Concerns about funding of the purchases if they do exist, have been with the whole second carrier programme for India for some time and have recently manifested themselves in suggestions that the Indian Navy may upgrade its aging fleet of Harriers with Israeli to provide better strike capability and possibly reduce the immediate need for as many new strike aircraft. Within Russia itself the Sukhoi sideswipe at MiG over the contract is part of an ongoing battle to undermine the position of RSK MiG and its management by lobbies close to Sukhoi. Nikitin , the General Director of the company has been a particular target , with calls for his firing as he has been unable to generate sufficient sales of MiG aircraft, with the knock on effect of slowing the company's development of the Tu-334 due to lack of funding. The level of venom in the Sukhoi attacks suggests that despite a number of years in the shadow of Sukhoi, MiG still carries some weight in the corridors of power and Sukhoi feels the need to neutralize it. Other sources also suggest that the recent changes in the management of the various defence export agencies and what is seen as a continuing consolidation also serves those who would give Sukhoi total control of the fighter export market. Undoubtedly the Sukhoi lobby feels further vindicated by the almost certainty that the MiG-AT will not get the Indian advance trainer contract despite the changes proposed in the aircraft's power plant, with the order likely to go to the BAe Hawk and leased Alpha jets in the short term to meet India's pressing requirement for trainers. MiG is however, reported to be still considering that they have an outside chance of still winning with a 15% more powerful Larzac or an RD-1700 powered version. On 15th September the Soyuz design bureau, part of RSK MiG, began fire tests on the first RD-1700 engine at its facilities. Development of this low-bypass ratio engine began in 1996 after the RusAF made it clear it wanted a completely Russian version of the MiG AT. The RD-1700 was developed and its first examples built by Soyuz and another member of the RSK MIG, engine producer MMP Chernyshev. The companies intend to create, on the base of the RD-1700, higher-thrust engines, the RD-2500 and RD-4000, for use in the Yak-130, recently denied its Slovak engine and civil airplanes. MiG's major civilian programme the Tu-334 has been dogged by problems, but recently progress is reported to have been made in getting the aircraft back in the air with the delivery of tubing related to the installation of engines from Aviant in Kiev. Sources within both Tuploev and MiG however, say this was only achieved by paying the Ukrainian producer twice for the components. With the engines re installed the aircraft should resume flying in the middle of October ready for presentation to GUAP Pulkovo of St. Petersburg later in the month and for participation at Air China in November. According to RSK MiG, except for GUAP Pulkovo, firm intentions to acquire the Tu-334 have been expressed by Aeroflot, Samara, KavMinVody Avia and Saratov Airlines. Volga-Dnepr is also looking at the Tu-334 for use on its passenger line between Moscow and Ulyanovsk now served by Yak-40s.

Article ID: 2090