IAF's Sukhoi SU-30 jets lack EW system
By IANS
Wednesday May 9, 07:56 PM
New Delhi, May 9 (IANS) The Indian Air Force's Sukhoi SU-30 combat jets lack an electronic warfare (EW) system, parliament was informed on Wednesday.
The EW system was not incorporated in the fighter as it was 'not identified' in the 1996 contract for purchasing the aircraft from Russia, Defence Minister A.K. Antony said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
The EW system is also not incorporated in the SU-30s being manufactured in India under license by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the minister added.
The IAF currently operates two squadrons (40 aircraft) of Su-30s that were inducted in 2004. Delays in its licensed manufacture here have prompted the IAF to place an order for another 40 aircraft.
Antony said: 'The general contract of December, 2000 was signed with Russia for manufacture of SU-30 aircraft by HAL as per the Standard of Preparation (SOP) for direct purchased aircraft contracted by MoD (ministry of defence) in 1996.
'Electronic warfare system was not included in the general contract because the system was not identified for the aircraft at that time.
'The Su-30 aircraft manufactured by HAL under licence is of the same SOP as that of stage III aircraft supplied directly by Russia,' the minister added.
Antony also said HAL planned to establish facilities for repairing and overhauling the SU-30 by 2008.
The aircraft would become due for overhaul from 2010 onwards.
http://in.news.yahoo.com/070509/43/6fjxv.html
By IANS
Wednesday May 9, 07:56 PM
New Delhi, May 9 (IANS) The Indian Air Force's Sukhoi SU-30 combat jets lack an electronic warfare (EW) system, parliament was informed on Wednesday.
The EW system was not incorporated in the fighter as it was 'not identified' in the 1996 contract for purchasing the aircraft from Russia, Defence Minister A.K. Antony said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
The EW system is also not incorporated in the SU-30s being manufactured in India under license by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the minister added.
The IAF currently operates two squadrons (40 aircraft) of Su-30s that were inducted in 2004. Delays in its licensed manufacture here have prompted the IAF to place an order for another 40 aircraft.
Antony said: 'The general contract of December, 2000 was signed with Russia for manufacture of SU-30 aircraft by HAL as per the Standard of Preparation (SOP) for direct purchased aircraft contracted by MoD (ministry of defence) in 1996.
'Electronic warfare system was not included in the general contract because the system was not identified for the aircraft at that time.
'The Su-30 aircraft manufactured by HAL under licence is of the same SOP as that of stage III aircraft supplied directly by Russia,' the minister added.
Antony also said HAL planned to establish facilities for repairing and overhauling the SU-30 by 2008.
The aircraft would become due for overhaul from 2010 onwards.
http://in.news.yahoo.com/070509/43/6fjxv.html