Indian Air Force order to be followed by Chinese order within the year (359 words)

Published: 3/13/2001

Aircraft Production Association of Irkutsk (IAPO) has completed the second Su-30MKI of four in the pre-series batch. The aircraft was ferried from Irkutsk to Gromov's Flight Test and Research Institute in Zhukovsky (LII) on 6th March, joining the other two MKI prototypes (one built by Sukhoi experimental factory, the other by IAPO) undergoing flight trials. According to Aleksandr Veprev, IAPO's technical director, the Su-30MKI flight test and evaluation programme should be completed in late May, thus enabling delivery of the first Su-30MKI batch to the Indian Air Force by the year-end. Although it is unclear how many aircraft are in this first batch, Veprev did not deny reports that it might include all five available MKIs. Delays in the delivery of the first batch have been due to problems with clogging fuel lines on the AL-31F engines in the 18 Su-30Ks already in service. Apart from completion of two more Indian aircraft, this year IAPO will deliver a second batch of Su-27UB twin-seat trainers to the Chinese Air Force. These will complement the Su-30MKK being delivered by the Aircraft Production Association of Komsomolsk-upon-Amur (KnAAPO). Apparently, the second batch of Su-27UBs will come in standard configuration, with the possibility that these aircraft may be modified later, using the scheme proposed by IAPO and Sukhoi for Russian Air Force Su-30KN and Su-27UBM upgrades. According to Veprev, IAPO has participated in the development of a next-generation crew station for the two-seat fighters of the Su-27 Flanker family. LII's test-pilot group, headed by Anatoly Kvochur, is now evaluating it on Aircraft 597. Should LII pilots produce a favourable report, this aircraft will begin full-scale tests within 2-3 months. The development of the crew station has been prompted by a positive Russian Air Force reaction to the export Su-30, especially the Su-30MKK equipped with avionics from RPKB of Ramenskoye. Lieutenant General Yuri Klishin, deputy head of the Russian Air Force (responsible for equipment), described the MKK's cockpit as “a very good variant of a new-generation pilot station featuring much reduced workload for pilots.”

Article ID: 2413