ok this will clear EVERYTHING UP once in for all...
from the Irkut corporation (maker of the mki)
IRKUT Corporation :: Press Release Archives :: IRKUT CORPORATION AWARDED FOR SU-30MKI PROGRAM
IRKUT CORPORATION AWARDED FOR SU-30MKI PROGRAM
At the AERO INDIA 2009 international air show and exhibition «FORCE» magazine presented the award to «Irkut» Corporation, prime contractor and coordinator of the Su-30 program, acknowledged as the best program of India’s military-technical cooperation with foreign countries in combat aviation.
JSC «Sukhoi Company» CEO Mikhail Pogosyan received the award on behalf of «Sukhoi Design Bureau» for the Su-30MKI design and development.
«FORCE» also recognized the personal contribution of Alexey Fedorov, President of JSC«United Aircraft Corporation» to Indo-Russian military-technical cooperation within the scope of the Su-30MKI project.
At the ceremony the awards were presented by Prawin Sawhney, editor-in-chief of the «FORCE» magazine that specializes in covering national security and defense issues.
According to a massive study conducted by experts from this respected Indian publication the Su-30MKI program is the most successful in the history of India’s military-technical cooperation with foreign countries, with the aircraft considered one of the top multi-role fighters in the world. The research authors highlight that the Su-30MKI became the first serially produced combat aircraft in the world to feature super-maneuverability conferred by the ultimate aerodynamic layout and TVC engines. A particular appreciation was expressed towards the onboard avionics suite with ESA radar to be the first fitted onto the exported fighter aircraft.
The specialists emphasize the fact that the Su-30MKI is the first combat machine developed outside India in accordance with the strict IAF requirements and produced in cooperation with Indian industry.
«Irkut» Corporation delivered to India over 100 aircraft and technological kits for their license production by Hindustan Aeronautics ltd. Since 2007 the Su-30MKI phases I and II are being upgraded to final technical configuration. Moreover in 2007 the contracts were signed to supply the IAF with 18 Su-30MKI aircraft in lieu of earlier inducted Su-30K and to deliver additional batch of 40 Su-30MKI.
read the bold...
Keysersoze the 18 a/c were for the replacement and the 40 are totally brand new and will not replace anything. also 100 aircraft/kits have already been delivered.
so 100 already supplied... 130 to go
by 2012 the 58 replacement/new a/c will be delivered raising the number to 158 but in the same period at least 36 more should be delivered considering that 12 are produced per annum meaning 194 by 2012 and easily 230 by 2014.
and this is not made up its straight from the maker of the mki
go to the irkut website and click on press releases and you will see