Zarvan
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India is to conduct a safety assessment of its fleet of Sukhoi S030MKI 'Flanker' fighters following the loss of an aircraft on 19 May, national media has reported.
A high-level review of the more than 200 Su-30MKI aircraft fielded by the Indian Air Force (IAF) is due to be held in the coming days, with Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar discussing the issue with IAF head Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha and other senior officers.
The review follows the crash of an Su-30MKI during a training exercise in the far east of the country. Both crew members were reported to have ejected safely.
Since receiving the first of its Su-30MKIs in 2002, the IAF has lost six to accidents. Most recently, the fleet was grounded following a double uncommanded ejection that occurred in October 2014. The findings of an investigation into that incident have not been disclosed.
With the Su-30MKI making up nearly a third of the IAF's fast jet fleet, Parrikar was quoted by India's Zee News as saying, "We are not grounding the fleet (...) We can't ground the fleet after every accident."
According to IHS Jane's World Air Forces, the IAF has received 205 of an expected 270 Su-30MKI aircraft, with deliveries set to run through to 2019. Of these 270, 222 are being assembled by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in India. Some 10 squadrons have so far been equipped with the type.
With many of the IAF's older types slated for retirement, the Su-30MKI will soon become the service's most numerous combat aircraft. In future, it will comprise the backbone of IAF's combat capability along with the Dassault Rafale and the indigenous Tejas Light Combat Aircraft.
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(302 of 432 words)
India to review safety of Su-30MKI fighter fleet - IHS Jane's 360
A high-level review of the more than 200 Su-30MKI aircraft fielded by the Indian Air Force (IAF) is due to be held in the coming days, with Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar discussing the issue with IAF head Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha and other senior officers.
The review follows the crash of an Su-30MKI during a training exercise in the far east of the country. Both crew members were reported to have ejected safely.
Since receiving the first of its Su-30MKIs in 2002, the IAF has lost six to accidents. Most recently, the fleet was grounded following a double uncommanded ejection that occurred in October 2014. The findings of an investigation into that incident have not been disclosed.
With the Su-30MKI making up nearly a third of the IAF's fast jet fleet, Parrikar was quoted by India's Zee News as saying, "We are not grounding the fleet (...) We can't ground the fleet after every accident."
According to IHS Jane's World Air Forces, the IAF has received 205 of an expected 270 Su-30MKI aircraft, with deliveries set to run through to 2019. Of these 270, 222 are being assembled by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in India. Some 10 squadrons have so far been equipped with the type.
With many of the IAF's older types slated for retirement, the Su-30MKI will soon become the service's most numerous combat aircraft. In future, it will comprise the backbone of IAF's combat capability along with the Dassault Rafale and the indigenous Tejas Light Combat Aircraft.
Want to read more? For analysis on this article and access to all our insight content, please enquire about our subscription options ihs.com/contact
To read the full article, Client Login
(302 of 432 words)
India to review safety of Su-30MKI fighter fleet - IHS Jane's 360
