Alexander Velovich/MOSCOW
The Russian air force has undertaken a review of its combat aircraft requirements and inventory specifications for the next century and will sell aircraft.
New air force Commander-in-chief Col Gen Anatoly Kornukov says the work has allowed Moscow to determine its priorities on aircraft such as the next generation fighter and a new strategic bomber.
He says that the next generation "multi-functional" fighter (MFI) "-will be a product of the co-operation of several design organisations". He adds that the Sukhoi S-37, the prototype of which flew for the first time earlier this year, has a better chance of providing the basis for the next-generation air force fighter than the rival MAPO MiG 1-42 /1-44 design, although he says that the final decision on the MFI design has yet to be made.
The Commander says also that, by 2000, the development of a new strategic bomber will get fully under way. Preliminary design studies are already believed to have started at the Tupolev design bureau. While not confirming that work is already under way, Kornukov says that "-this will not be a Sukhoi design", apparently consigning to the history books the T-60S project on which Sukhoi has been working for many years. The new aircraft will replace the Tupolev Tu-160 Blackjack and, probably, the Tu-95/Tu-145 Bear.
The review also belatedly encourages MAPO MiG and Yakovlev to unite their efforts in developing a new generation trainer. The two aircraft manufacturers are already marketing rival new products for export. It appears that a new trainer is not a priority for the service, as it will continue to fly a slimmed down Aero L-39 fleet.
The Russians have also decided that the Sukhoi Su-27IB, a side-by-side twin seat member of the Su-27 family, will become a multi-role tactical aircraft. A modified S-300P surface-to-air missile system will remain the only type in service with the air defence missile units.
As part of its inventory changes, the air force is offering for sale more than 600 aircraft.
The bulk of the aircraft on offer consists of MiG-23s and MiG-27s, Sukhoi Su-17s and L-39s. Operational S-125 and S-200 missile systems, together with large stocks of spares, are also being sold.
Source: Flight International
