IAF might get missile-armed Su-30 MKI fighters by 2012

Indian Air Force`s multi-role Su-30 MKI fighters could be armed with supersonic cruise missiles by 2012, giving them the capability to strike ground targets from stand-off distance.

Moscow: Indian Air Force`s multi-role Su-30
MKI fighters could be armed with supersonic cruise missiles by
2012, giving them the capability to strike ground targets from
stand-off distance.

"The work to adopt the missile for deployment on fighter
is being carried out by the Rosoboronexport, the Sukhoi Design
Bureau and NPO Mashinostroyeniya (Russian partner in BrahMos
JV)," a top official of the aircraft manufacturer has said,
adding that the missiles could be mounted on the aircraft in
two years.

With this, India would get the capability to fire these
missiles from land, sea as well as air. BrahMos are already
fitted on naval warships as well as inducted by the Army.
India and Russia are in the process of developing a hypersonic
version of the missile.

"If things go well, we may offer modernised Su-30MKI
fighters to India and our other foreign partners by 2012,"
deputy chief of Irkut Corporation Vladimir Sautov was quoted
as saying by RIA Novosti.

The Irkut Corporation is a prime contractor in
manufacturing the Su-30MKI multirole fighters for the Indian
Air Force and has 15 per cent share in Russia`s arms exports.
"The modernisation programme includes re-equipping of
some 100 Su-30MKI fighters, which are currently in service
with the IAF," Sautov said.

PTI

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