French avionics producer to participate in possible Malaysian variant of Su-30MKI as well as the development other aircraft (630 words)

Published: 10/26/2001

According to reports, Sukhoi is in the process of developing cooperation with French avionics producer, Thales, with a specific focus on avionics in a potential Malaysian variant of the Su-30MKI. The discussions are reported to have been initiated at LIMA-2001, when IAPO submitted the Indian variant of the Su-30MK, the Su-30MKI that already contains avionic elements from members of the Thales group, for the Malaysian fighter tender. Aleksey Fyodorov, President of IAPO, the aircraft's producer, speaking at LIMA-2001, said that his company was flexible in meeting customer requirements for additional providers. The possibility of the inclusion of Thales products in any future Malaysian Su-30MK's has also been boosted by reports that the Malaysian government is keen to obtain some element of offset as well as the fact that Thales already has facilities in the country, including a plant currently producing the LCDs for combat aircraft. This seems to have made cooperation all the more attractive to IAPO. IAPO has also signed a conditional agreement on cooperation with Malaysian producer, Sappura, on the production of equipment for the Su-30 in the event of the fighter winning the tender. Russian business daily Vedomosti has quoted Thales spokesman, François Dupon, as saying that it is too early to speak about the level of Thales participation in a potential contract. He did state, however, that if the Thales involvement in the project exceeds 5% of total value, then the company would probably establish a JV with Sukhoi. According to Fyodorov, the evaluation of the Malaysian requirements may take up to two years, although the result of the tender is reported to be expected in six months and given that the Su-30MKI is coming into service with the Indian Air Force, the experience of operations should help both sides in determining the level of Thales involvement. If Malaysia decides to purchase the Su-30MKI, says Fyodorov, then the aircraft's maintenance and overhaul might be provided in facilities in India. IAPO JV On 18th October, Vladimir Kovalkov, General Director of IAPO, confirmed that IAPO is considering the creation of a JV with Thales, covering not only the Su-30MKI, but also the Be-200 amphibian currently being produced at the Siberian plant and the Il-214 regional transport aircraft currently under development with India. Reports have also suggested that Thales has discussed cooperation with MiG related to the possible sale of the MiG-AT to Brunei. While the only orders for the Be-200 to date are for the fire fighting variant from the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations (MChS), there has long been reports of interest in South East Asia, notably Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia and South Korea in the patrol and passenger versions of the aircraft. The potential sale of six aircraft to the Philippines Air Force was reported to have been discussed at LIMA-2001. According to Gennady Panatov, General Designer of TANTK Beriev, the Philippines has been given a specification of the Be-200, with some discussion of the Philippines' requirement, such as the installation of machine guns. According to A Veprev, Technical Director of IAPO, after LIMA-2001, the Be-200 was demonstrated in South Korea, and that negotiations are being held with the coast guard for the patrol version of the Be-200. Dupon estimated that the cost of Thales avionics for the Be-200 would be in the region of 5% of the $15m price for the fire fighting and passenger versions and 50% for the more sophisticated patrol version. Commenting on more general interest in the aircraft, Panatov said that the Be-200's type certification has resulted in interest in the aircraft from a number of other sources, including the US and Japan.

Article ID: 2856