Article Posted on : - Oct 11, 2009

A file photo.

NEW DELHI (BNS): India will discuss the modernisation of the Russian-made Su-30MKI aircraft in service with its air force, at the 9th Inter Governmental Commission on Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-MTC) meeting in Moscow, the country's Defense Ministry said on Friday, according to a media report.

"The aircraft, contracted in 1996, are due for overhaul shortly and Russia has offered an upgrade of the aircraft with incorporation of the latest technologies during the major overhaul," Ria Novosti quoted the ministry saying in a statement.

India purchased 50 Su-30MKI aircraft from Russia in 1996 and an additional 40 planes in 2007. India's Hindustani Aeronautics (HAL) has acquired a license to manufacture an additional 140 fighters.

India previously said it was satisfied with the performance of Russian Su-30MKI fighters and has recently expressed interest in buying another 50 Su-30MKIs. Presently Indian Air Force (IAF) has 105 Su-30MKIs in its fleet.

Defence Minister Antony would co-chair on October 14 and 15 the ninth meeting of the India-Russia Inter Governmental Commission on Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-MTC). The IRIGC-MTC meets annually, alternatively in India and Russia, during which Defence Ministers of the two countries review and discuss matters relating to bilateral defence cooperation.

The main focus of discussions during the meeting will be the extension of the existing bilateral agreement on military-technical cooperation for another 10 years, from 2011 to 2020.

The current cooperation program until 2010 comprises about 200 joint projects, including the modernization of the Vikramaditya aircraft carrier (formerly the Admiral Gorshkov) for the Indian navy, the transfer of technology for the licensed assembly of T-90 tanks in India, the production of BrahMos missiles and the purchase of Smerch MLRS by India, it said.