960401

Indian Air Force buying

SU-30 MK to cover remote

areas of Pakistan

NEW DELHI: Indian Air Force is buying Russian-built SU-30 MK, multi-role fighter planes, at a cost of Indian Rs. I63.10 million with the specific purpose of striking anywhere in Pakistan.

In what will be the biggest defence deal for the purchase of a single weapon system in India's history, the cabinet gave clearance to the IAF for the purchase of the latest Russian- built, two seat, long range, SU-30 MK, multi-role fighter.

The largest ever defence deal for a single weapon system in Indian history will cost the Indian exchequer an anticipated amount of Rs. 63.10 million. Despite the already colossal defence budget of India, the decision for this additional purchase has been taken in response to growing IAF pressure for a multi-role aircraft to add to the deep penetration ability of the IAF which wants to be able to cover those few areas of Pakistan which still remain out of reach of the nuclear-capable Prithvi missiles.

SU-30, a multi-role aircraft, will give the Indian Air Force greater flexibility in mobilising resources over a large war front as the same squadron could be deployed for air defence, interdiction or deep strikes, keeping the adversary off balance. These acquisitions and the IAF structure planing, incorporating the use of this multi-role aircraft with force-multiplier capabilities "would enable the force to achieve the same objectives as were effected through employment of larger force levels of existing aircraft". In the long term, the acquisition of up to five squadrons of such multi-role aircraft, along with "combat support systems, "will permit reduction of combat squadron holdings to 33 as against existing 39-1/2 squadrons", says the Ministry of Defence assessment paper. Accordingly, the choice has fallen on a multi-role SU-30 MK which Russia has offered to custom-build for the IAF, modifying the original SU-30K ADV (air defence variant) which was primarily meant for interception and escort missions.

Initially, the first lot of eight aircraft, to be delivered to India will be SU-30K, a two-seat combat aircraft capable of operating over long ranges for over three hours with the potential to carry eight tonnes of weapons load. The SU-30K defence variant will be followed by delivery of SU-30 MK till February 2001. Thereafter the initially acquired SU-30Ks will be upgraded to SU-30 MK by September 2001.-APP