Sukhoi aircraft are a much-sought feature of airshows around the world, and a significant force in world military aviation. Mikhail Pogosyan, general director of AVPK Sukhoi, tells Tim Ripley that Sukhoi is also looking at entering other areas of aviation.
Q How is AVPK Sukhoi positioned in the world aerospace market?
A The Sukhoi corporation is one of the leading companies in the military aviation market because it is able to offer the whole spectrum of high technology products and services. On the efficiency/price criteria we surpass the products of many of our main competitors and this enable us to take a bigger volume of the world fighter market. The retaining and extension of those positions is one of the main tasks of the Sukhoi company today and in the future.
Q What are the main aircraft your company exports at the moment?
A First of all I would mention the Su-27 (Flanker) air superiority fighter and the Su-30 and Su-32 multi-role aircraft with variable thrust vectoring. Their flight and combat characteristics considerably surpass foreign fighters in their class which ensures they remain in demand. Furthermore the well proven Su-25 (Frogfoot) strike aircraft and its new upgraded version, the Su-39, are attracting a lot of interest. Upgrades to the Su-22 (Fitter) fighter bomber and Su-24 [îFencer'] strategic bomber are already attracting attention for the countries that use them.
Q Which countries are your main customers?
A India and China have been our main partners over a rather long time. We carry on successfully fulfilling our commitments with them. In recent years, Vietnam and some other countries have joined them. One of the most interesting markets for us is Southeast Asia and Malaysia in particular. Sukhoi aircraft have certain chances in Africa and Latin America. In general, our aircraft provide amazement everywhere they fly. Without them international airshows would just become colourless. We are told this bitterly by airshow organisers where, for some reason, Sukhoi aircraft do not participate.
Q How do you see the development of the military and civil aviation markets for the next five years?
A I suppose the fighter market will be significantly affected by fifth generation aircraft that are now being designed in America and Europe. Sukhoi is also carrying out research and work on prospective technologies that can be used on new generations of Russian aircraft. The Su-37 Berkut or Golden Eagle experimental aircraft with forward swept wings will meet the high requirements of both the Russian military and world markets. Modifications created by our corporation for the Su-30MK will meet customers' near-term requirements. They possess capabilities equal to the EF-2000 Typhoon. The market for existing fighters will remain rather large. As I mentioned, the Sukhoi corporation has upgrade programmes that considerably increase the life-time and combat capability of our existing product range. So far we have been mostly working in the military sphere of the world aviation market. However, using the corporation's high technology expertise we will participate in the development of a family of passenger aircraft for regional airliners in cooperation with the American company Alliance Aircraft. Estimates show we have good prospects. We would like to enter this market seriously on a long-term basis.
Q What place does your corporation have in the plans of President Putin for the Russian aerospace industry?
A I believe it has a rather significant place. When he was Secretary of the Security Council and then Prime Minister, Vladimir Putin gained a detailed understanding of the Russian aviation industry. Our aircraft make up 60% of the Russian Air Force fleet and almost half the country's exports of weapons. During the past year the Russian president has flown in the Su-25 and twice flown in the Su-27. He is convinced that Sukhoi is capable of developing world class aviation products. He had a high opinion of our aircraft after his flights.
Q What is your company going to be exhibiting at Farnborough?
A First of all we have brought the Su-32 two seat heavy fighter bomber which combines the features of air-supremacy fighter, suppression of enemy air defences aircraft and heavy strike bomber. At the same time it can engage a wide variety of aerial, ground and sea targets. The Su-32's weaponry suite enables it to engage air-to-air targets in heavy electronic jamming environments to strike at ground and sea targets from stand-off distance outside the range of enemy air defences. I am sure this aircraft will attract strong interest from participants and visitors to the Show. The whole spectrum of the corporation's military and civil developments will be presented on our stand.
Source: Flight Daily News
