Thursday, December 23 2004 12:17 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

London: India and Russia have certified the latest Sukhoi fighter configuration, a leading defence weekly reported today (Dec 23, 2004).

The new variant of Sukhoi - also known as Mk3 model - differs from the earlier MKII models, 'Jane's Defence Weekly' reported quoting Russian manufacturer NPK Irkut.

The MKII model can only serve as an interceptor, while the MK3 can fire anti-ship and anti-radiation supersonic Kh-31A/P series and television-guided Kh-59 subsonic cruise missiles.

The NO11M radar provides targeting for laser and television precision-guided missiles. It allows the MKIII to engage two air targets simultaneously with the R-27 missile or four with the RW-AE missile. It can also engage one air and one ground target at a time while searching for threats.

The Su-30MKIII will be built under licence at the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) complex at Bangalore, with 140 platforms to be manufactured by 2017. The agreement has an overall value of $ 5 billion, the report said.

The certification follows delivery of four Su-30MKIII from NPK Irkut earlier this month. Six more are due by the year-end, fulfilling a series of contracts signed in 1996-1998. These contracts covered 18 Su-30Ks delivered between March 1997 and December 1999 and 32 Su-30MKIs to be delivered between July 2002 and January 2005.

A Russian official was quoted as saying that talks are under way concerning a mid-life upgradation of Su-30MKIs. This would involve integration of avionic systems being developed for the Indo-Russian fifth generation fighter, called the T-50 by Sukhoi, together with more powerful engines and an improved logistics system.