Screaming Skull
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Zhukovshy, Russia: Russian officials at MAKS 2009 (August 18 to 22) were upbeat about defence relations with India. The IAF will soon sign a contract for 50 additional Su-30MKI aircraft, and 40 more Mi-171V helicopters. Indian and Russian officials held extensive talks on upgrade of Su-30MKI and on modifications to carry BrahMos cruise missile on the aircraft. This is not all. According to Russian officials, the partnership on the fifth generation aircraft, PAK FA (T-50) and the Multi-purpose Transport Aircraft (MTA) is on schedule. Notwithstanding the uncertainty over INS Vikramaditya (Admiral Gorshkov), the first batch of MiG-29K/KUB fighters will be delivered to India by end this year. The remaining two IL-38SD aircraft of the Indian Navy with Russia since five years would also head home. And Russians are superbly confident of MiG-35s successful participation in the 126 M-MRCA competition. They have also decided to field Kamov Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopter for the IAFs 22 attack helicopter tender. With so much on the bilateral platter, Indian officials were Russians favourite flavour at the air show.
Back in New Delhi, senior IAF officials confirmed that the case for Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for 50 additional Su-30MKI has been sent to the defence ministry. (This is over and above the earlier 40 Su-30MKI being sought from Russia. With 230 aircraft to be assembled by HAL, the IAF will now have a total of 320 Su-30MKI aircraft.) As this purchase will be on a fast track basis to arrest depleting force levels, it would take a maximum of three months for clearance by the Cabinet Committee on Security, after which the contract would be signed. Considering that all this would be a formality, both sides discussed and agreed on the production schedule of these additional aircraft at MAKS-2009. The cost of these aircraft would be higher than the earlier lots. By how much, both sides remained tight-lipped, with one official finally saying that each aircraft could cost 10 per cent more. This single order is upwards of Rs 20,000 crore.
FORCE - A Complete News Magazine on National Security - Defence Magazine
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Excellent news! I am not too sure about the final number of 320 though. I think it will be 230+50=280MKIs. imo the number 230 already includes the previous order of 40 additional MKIs. Anyway, 280 or 320, further addition of these beasts to the IAFs inventory is always welcome!
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