BANGALORE: The Russian-made Sukhoi 30MKI (Su-30MKI) aircraft still being Indian Air Force's backbone, a huge opportunity is thrown open to the Indian industry to embrace projects under the 'Make-In-India' campaign, with nearly 322 components that it can manufacture.
With around 300 Su-30MKI aircraft operational in India, Defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which through a transfer of technology (ToT) is already manufacturing the aircraft at its Aircraft Manufacturing Division at Nasik, is responsible for repair, maintenance and overhauling.
HAL also runs the only overhauling facility for Su-30s outside of Russia with no other such facility, which was a need as the fighter fleet needs to be continuously maintained and serviced.
As sources in the IAF and HAL point out this need to service these aircraft -- even if the numbers dwindle in the coming years -- will exist for over 30 years. And it is keeping in mind this opportunity and the insistence of the 'Make-In-India' campaign that HAL has decided to empanel Indian firms to manufacture some of the line replacement units (LRUs), commonly called components.
"While HAL has established manufacturing and MRO facilities through ToT from Russia, there are further manufacturing and MRO technologies which have not been transferred under ToT," a source from HAL said.He added that keeping in mind the long term support these technologies are to be established, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in Russia "have expressed willingness to transfer such Technologies to the Indian Industry."
A total of 322 LRUs, under four major heads -- Radio and Radar; Electrical & Electronics System; Mechanical System and Instrument System -- are on the list that HAL can help Indian industries manufacture through ToT.
From signal processors to hydraulic drives and from oxygen, nitrogen bottles to temperature sensors, Indian companies will have a range of LRUs that they can manufacture.
"The fact that the Russians have expressed willingness to transfer technology, it is time we grabbed the opportunity. Some discussions have taken place in August when we met Russian OEMs in Moscow but proper contracts and selections of companies et al need to happen," the source said.
Highlights:
The Su-30 MKI
* Sukhoi-30 MkI is a twin seat, twin engine supersonic multipurpose fighter aircraft.
* It is capable of day and night flying under all weather condition.
* Is powered by two AL-31 FP engines and is equipped with fly-by-wire control
* It has a range of 3,000-km with a wing span of 15m
* Weighing nearly 19,000-kg it can touch a top speed of 2,120 km/h