Russian experts summoned as IAF’s Sukhoi fleet still grounded

October 6th, 2009 NEW DELHI - As the Indian Air Force's scintillating Surya Kiran Aerobatics Team (SKAT) takes to the sky during the Air Force Day parade Thursday, it might well be its last display. Due to the shortage of trainer aircraft the IAF is likely to disband the display team, only the third nine-aircraft formation of its kind in the world.

July 22nd, 2009 NEW DELHI - The crash of an Indian Air Force (IAF) Sukhoi Su-30 combat jet in Rajasthan this April, the first accident involving the plane since it was inducted 12 years ago, was caused by the failure of its sophisticated fly-by-wire system, parliament was informed Wednesday. The preliminary investigation into the accident reveal that the reason for the crash...

July 8th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The crash of an Indian Air Force Sukhoi Su-30 combat jet in Rajasthan this April, the first accident involving the plane since it was inducted 12 years ago, generated much heat in the Rajya Sabha Wednesday, prompting Defence Minister A.K. Antony to intervene and state that the IAF was "very happy" with the aircraft.

July 8th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The black box of an Indian Air Force (IAF) Sukhoi Su-30 combat jet that crashed in April has been "badly damaged" and efforts are underway to retrieve the data contained in it, the Rajya Sabha was informed Wednesday. "The black box has been badly damaged.

July 8th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Defence Minister A K Antony today said the government is planning to increase the number of Sukhoi 30 MKI fighter aircraft in Indian Air Force to 230 by 2015. Antony informed the Rajya Sabha that since 1996 the Air Force has procured 98 Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jets.

July 8th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Defence Minister A K Antony on Wednesday said that the Indian Air Force (IAF) would have 230 Russian-made Sukhoi 30 MKI fighter aircraft by 2015. Replying to supplementaries in the Rajya Sabha, Antony said: "Since 1996, the IAF has procured 98 Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter aircraft.

June 16th, 2009 Sukhoi: 28 new orders for SuperjetLE BOURGET, France — Sukhoi has notched up 28 more orders for its new Superjet 100 regional airliner, a day after signing a letter of intent with Hungarian national carrier Malev for 30 aircraft. Sukhoi President Victor Soubbotin says Moscow-based Avia leasing company placed a firm order on Tuesday for 24 of the planes, while Spain's Gadair European Airlines ordered two jets with an option for two more.

June 2nd, 2009 NEW DELHI - After stationing the Sukhoi Su-30MIK war jets in Tezpur in Assam, the Indian Air Force will post another squadron of its frontline jets at the Chabua air base under its military policy to boost security along the border with China in the northeast. On June 15, four Su-30MKIs will land in Tezpur for a symbolic induction, making the airbase the third in the country to house the combat jets.

May 27th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The Indian Air Force (IAF) has sent the flight data recorder of a frontline Sukhoi Su-30 MKI combat jet to Britain and its ejection chip to the original equipment manufacturer in Russia to analyse the cause of the April 30 accident that broke the 12-year accident-free record of the fighter aircraft. A senior IAF official said the initial probe indicated that the digital flying control system failed leading to the crash and the failure of the ejection of the rear seat of the aircraft.

May 25th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The frontline Sukhoi Su-30 MKI combat jets of the Indian Air Force have resumed flying nearly a month after the entire fleet was grounded following the crash of one of the aircraft that broke a 12-year accident-free record, an official said. The aircraft are again being flown even as a 20-member team of Russian experts have been conducting checkups on them.

May 2nd, 2009 NEW DELHI - A day after a frontline Sukhoi Su-30 combat jet of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed in the first such accident since the plane was inducted 12 years ago, the entire fleet was temporarily grounded Friday for a thorough inspection of the aircraft's airframe and systems. 'The aircraft did not take to the skies today (Friday) and thorough checks are being conducted,' an IAF officer said, requesting anonymity.

April 21st, 2009 MOSCOW - India will remain the main purchaser of Russian-made combat aircraft for the next 15 years under existing and prospective contracts, a Russian think tank has said. In its report titled 'The Forecast for Combat Aircraft Deliveries to India', the Center for Analysis and Technologies outlined the prospects for Russian-Indian cooperation.

February 21st, 2009 BEIJING - China's foreign ministry Friday said it had summoned Russian officials to express its dissatisfaction over the handling of an incident in which a Chinese cargo ship sank after coming under fire from a Russian coastguard vessel. Deputy Foreign Ministry Li Hui summoned the Russian ambassador Thursday, saying China was 'shocked' by the incident, the ministry said.

February 8th, 2009 MOSCOW - Russia's Sukhoi aircraft maker Monday opened a representative office in India's capital New Delhi, the company said in a statement. Sukhoi, which is part of Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), is the manufacturer of the famed Su family of combat aircraft, as well as the new Superjet-100 passenger airliners.

January 9th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Two Indian Air Force (IAF) Sukhoi-30MKI combat jets have been sent to Russia for a retrofit that would enable them launch the aerial version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile that India and Russia have jointly developed, an official said. 'The aerial version of the BrahMos missiles will be delivered from the Su-30MKI platform.