The Hindu : Russia to include India in combat aircraft project

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Feb 08, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Karnataka-Bangalore

Russia to include India in combat aircraft project

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE Feb. 7. Indo-Russian aviation partnership is poised for a big leap ahead with the latest Russian offer to include India in an ambitious fifth-generation combat-aircraft project.

The project initiators, Aviation Military Industrial Complex (AVPK) Sukhoi, has indicated its readiness for technology transfer as part of a potential co-production tie-up.

In its proposed design, the midsize aircraft will be built in single and two-seater versions. With over 25 per cent of the airframe being composite, the aircraft will feature an integrated set of avionics. "It will be very powerful with operation capability on ground and air targets. The aircraft will meet all the requirements of a fifth-generation fighter, including stealth and supersonic flight features,'' Mikhail Pogosyan, Director of Sukhoi Design Bureau, said on Friday.

Serial production of the aircraft was expected to commence after 2010. Flight-testing would begin in 2006. The four-year development period after the maiden flight test would help create the necessary aviation technology for the project, the Sukhoi official explained.

The project's main objective would be to retain the advantages of the fourth-generation aircraft. These included cost-effectiveness and quality of performance. The eventual cost of the aircraft would be dictated by the prevailing aviation market and the competition.

Regional jet

High on the Indo-Russian agenda is another hi-profile project — the Russian Regional Jet (RRJ). The second phase of the project has been completed. The plane is developed on the framework of an agreement between the Sukhoi company, the Ilyushin Aviation Complex, and the Boeing Corporation.

Sukhoi is, however, in competition with another Russian aviation major, Tupalov, to clinch a Russian tender for the project. The tender is likely to be floated in the next few weeks. A top Sukhoi Design Bureau official has indicated that India will have a role to play in the project if Sukhoi clinches the tender. Incidentally, the project figured in the talks during Defence Minister, George Fernandes's visit to Russia.

Besides, India's impressive facilities to service potential Boeing parts in the aircraft will weigh in the country's favour in a partnership proposal.

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