India is expecting its first fully specified Sukhoi Su-30MKI multirole fighter to be completed almost to schedule by the middle of next year. The deliveries are planned despite delays in the provision of interim-standard Su-30MKs, which are expected at the end of this year, 12 months late.
Eight Su-30s are in Indian service following a 1996 order for 40 aircraft. The second batch of aircraft are to be fitted with Western avionics while later aircraft should be equipped with thrust vectoring and canard foreplanes.
Delivery delays of the first Western-equipped Su-30s are a result of Indian prevarication in selecting systems. India's initial eight aircraft are built to the Russian air force's Su-30K standard.
Sextant Avionique has started component deliveries. Each Su-30 will have seven Sextant displays, three 127 x 127mm (5 x 5in) in both cockpits and a 150 x 150mm unit in the rear cockpit in place of the head-up display (HUD). The displays are integrated with the a mission computer developed by India's Aeronautical Development Establishment. Israel's Elop is supplying the front cockpit's HUD.
Meanwhile, Indian chief of the air staff Air Chief Marshal Anil Tipnis says licence production of Su-30s will begin at Hindustan Aeronautics before the fortieth aircraft is delivered from Russia.
Source: Flight International
