The Hindu : Engine blade 'nicks' in Sukhoi-30 squadron

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Sep 06, 2003

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Engine blade 'nicks' in Sukhoi-30 squadron

By Sandeep Dikshit

NEW DELHI SEPT. 5. The only complete squadron of India's frontline Sukhoi-30K fighters has been effectively grounded following the detection of `nicks' in the engine blades. The Indian Air Force wants the defective parts replaced free of cost but the manufacturers are reluctant because the warranty period has expired. The IAF has threatened to stall a long-term contract for the supply and indigenous manufacture of improved versions of this plane unless its makers advance the servicing schedule for the aircraft, said informed sources.

Other sources in the Air Headquarters admitted to the problem of `nicks' but said the flying had been `staggered' prior to their despatch to Russia for routine checks. "Flying hours have been `staggered down' to conserve the engine frame prior to its scheduled servicing in Russia which will begin only next year."

Each Sukhoi-30K plane has flown an average of 700 hours and only 300 hours of airframe life is left. Planes are regularly checked and `nicks' of a certain size and amount are permitted. Otherwise the blades are changed. According to warranty terms, these planes of `Sukhoi-30K' make are due to be upgraded by 2004.

India currently has 28 Sukhoi planes based at the Lohegaon IAF base at Pune. The first batch of 18 is of Sukhoi-30K make (NATO name `Flanker') and arrived in 1997-98. The remaining 10 of the improved `MKI' make arrived recently. The problem, according to informed sources, is with the first lot comprising the No. 24 Hunting Hawk squadron, the IAF's main high performance fighter fleet. With slight modification, these planes are considered ideal for delivery of nuclear weapons because of their long range. They are certain to find a place in the newly-created Strategic Forces Command, which will oversee all nuclear delivery systems such as warships, submarines, missiles and aircraft.

Informed sources said the rub lies in the fact that the IAF currently has too few multi-role combat planes. The number will increase after 22 Sukhoi-30 MKI arrive from Russia, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) makes another 140 and some French planes are purchased in due course. As a result, the IAF does not want to wait for a couple of years for the scheduled upgrade of these `K' variants to `MKI'.

Other sources, however, were confident that the crisis would blow over.

``Nicks happen all the time but the contract with Sukhoi is for a very long period. Their people have been at hand at the base for some time and will continue to be around till all the three versions of the plane are ready,'' said the sources.

Informed sources point out that the main reason for the selection of Sukhois over competitors such as Mirage-2000 was considerably lower costs, including life cycle costs. Its maker, Irkut, should, therefore, make an exception and take a close look at these aircraft. However, the Russian company has never been busier. Last year, it accounted for nearly one-thirds of total Russian armament exports and this year it began supplying Sukhoi planes to Malaysia, besides the two lucrative tie-ups with India and China.

It appears to be a tough call for both IAF and Irkut.

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