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Indigenous Sukhoi to roll out next year

By Sandeep Dikshit

NEW DELHI JUNE 27 . The first state-of-the-art Sukhoi fighter jet may roll out of an Indian factory by the end of next year, say officials associated with the Rs. 22,000-crore project.

The indigenous manufacture of 140 Sukhoi MKI was advanced after the Defence Minister, George Fernandes, interacted with his Russian interlocutors during his visit to the country early this year.

The original manufacturer, Irkut Corporation, and its Indian collaborator, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), have capped an intensive week-long interaction to finalise the plans, including schedule monitoring at every step to ensure that the production of the multi-role long-range fighter and some of its components begins by the end of 2004. "The progress is very good. We are proceeding according to schedule and they are giving us technical details and drawings," confirmed the HAL chief, N. R. Mohanty.

Security planners expect the `rules of engagement' to radically change with the induction of these aircraft. As many as 28 Russian-built planes have already arrived and another 22 are on their way. Although China is also purchasing these planes, the IAF chief, S. Krishnaswamy, feels the "MKI" version is better in terms of sophistication. "The accuracy of the weapons delivery systems is phenomenal. The aircraft is very special. No other country has such a formidable aircraft," he had said at the induction ceremony at Lohegaon, Pune, airbase last September.

Though the HAL has not been authorised to export the entire aircraft, an understanding has been reached on allowing it to export sub-assemblies such as stabilisers and fins to the growing fraternity of Sukhoi-users. In fact, the Sukhoi is a major success story for the Russian military industrial complex and accounted for almost half its export earnings last year. "This is the first time they have reached an agreement on outside production of sub-assemblies for our use as well as for exports," confirmed Mr. Mohanty.

A sub-group has been formed with the active involvement of the Ministry of Defence and Irkut to review the progress of the project every quarter.

The group will monitor various factors such as timely payments and supplies and plans to meet alternatively in Russia and India. It is hoped that this approach will avoid time overruns that have dogged each and every defence project taken up by Indian manufacturers.

The huge project will also see active involvement of the private sector in a manner that should gladden the hearts of industry associations, such as the FICCI and the CII, pushing for greater private participation in the defence sector. The HAL is already talking to private industries for assistance in tooling. "We will provide the material and technology. Companies will be selected on the basis of proximity to our factories (in Nashik, Koraput and Bangalore) manufacturing engines, airframe and sub-assemblies," Mr. Mohanty said.

The contract for the 200-odd planes acquired during the tenure of the United Front Government has not been without its share of critics, some probably egged on by rival companies.

The crash of a Sukhoi-30 MK at the 2000 Le Bourget air show in Paris heightened criticism of the multi-billion dollars project. Questions were raised about its appropriateness, cost, type of weaponry and even service life.

The supply of the first batch was also delayed by over two years due to difficulties in integrating the platform and aeronautics from Russia, avionics from western Europe and Indian electronic counter-warfare systems.

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