New Delhi, Oct 31: Indian Air Force's latest acquisitions -- SU-30MKI -- are now ready for a maritime role as parts of efforts to boost navy's depleted air-fighting arm. "We have received the first two upgraded versions of the SU-30 MKI Phase II and are ready in coordination with the navy for their conversion to maritime role", air chief s Krishnaswamy said today.

IAF has already inducted 30 of the two variants of the SU-30 and the conversion of the multi-role fighter would prove a boon for naval aviation as its sea harrier fighters are ageing and the maritime jaguars have gone in for upgradation. "The new variants of the SU-30MKI have more advanced software and conversion to maritime role was just a matter of training of flying long distance over the seas in coordination with the navy", he told reporters emerging from a conference of IAF's top commanders here.

Bureau Report