Source: Flight International
DATE:02/05/06
SOURCE:Flight International
Air force prepares for arrival of Su-30MKM
Sukhoi is preparing to deliver the first batch of Su-30MKM ground
support equipment and spare parts to the Malaysian air force, ahead
of delivering the service's first six of 18 multi-role fighters
early next year.
"We start to deliver ground support equipment, technical papers and
training equipment by the end of this year," deputy general
director Alexander Klementiev said during the DSA 2006 exhibition
last week in Kuala Lumpur. Sukhoi plans to hand over Malaysia's
first batch of six Su-30MKMs next March and Klementiev says all 18
aircraft will be delivered "within one year".
Sukhoi and Russia's Rosoboronexport sales agency are now also
working with the air force to establish a service centre in
Malaysia, which is required to open before delivery of the last
fighter. Several Malaysian companies including RSK MiG-29
maintenance provider Aerospace Technology System have expressed
interest in operating the new facility, but Klementiev says it will
be air force-operated during a one-year warranty period, which
could also be extended. "For the foreseeable future it will be
operated by the Royal Malaysian Air Force."
Klementiev says Sukhoi is now discussing with the air force a
training schedule for its initial batch of Su-30MKM pilots and is
also developing a simulator with assistance from Malaysian firm
HeiTech Padu. Malaysia also last week signed a letter of intent
with India's Hindustan Aeronautics covering training of Su-30
mechanics.
Malaysia is launch customer for Sukhoi's new Su-30MKM
configuration, which features head-up and multifunction displays
from Thales. Sukhoi blames
Malaysia's late selection of Thales for earlier forcing first
deliveries to slip from 2006 until next year, but does not
anticipate any problems with integrating the French
avionics. The design bureau says it has already
received parts from Thales for configuration development and tests
are to take place later this year. Thales is now training Malaysian
company Zetro to handle maintenance of Su-30MKM avionics, the
company says. Klementiev says Sukhoi is in discussion with several
customers potentially interested in acquiring a similar
configuration to the Su-30MKM, including Indonesia, which is
negotiating the purchase of up to 14 aircraft.
Rosoboronexport declines to confirm that Malaysia is discussing an
attrition purchase of two MiG-29s.
