Janes JDW Jan. 15th: China's next contract for Su-30MKKs

hope they don’t mind…
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JANE’S DEFENCE WEEKLY – JANUARY 15, 2003

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China ready to sign next contract for Su-30s
NIKOLAI NOVICHKOV JDW Correspondent
Moscow

Russia’s Sukhoi corporation plans to sign a new contract with China for the supply of 24-28 Su-30MKK multirole fighters, the third such agreement since 1999.

These aircraft have an enhanced capability in the use of air-to-surface armament, specifically against seaborne targets, including Kh-31A (NATO reporting name: AS-17 ‘Krypton’) supersonic anti-ship missiles, sources in Moscow told Jane’s Defence Weekly.

The first Su-30MKK contract involved 38 platforms, all of which have been delivered. The second deal, signed in 2001, also involves 38 aircraft.

Each agreement was worth between $1.5 billion and $1.8 billion. The third-batch agreement was hoped to be concluded before the end of last year (JDW 21 August 2002).

Commenting on Sukhoi’s activities in 2002, general director Mikhail Pogosyan told a Moscow press conference that the company had manufactured and delivered “over 60” combat aircraft abroad during the year. India and China are Sukhoi’s main customers. Pogosyan refused to provide details of the company’s exports.

However, other sources say the total included: 19 Su-30MKKs delivered to China by the Komsomolsk-on-Amur aircraft manufacturing association (KnAAPO); 10 Su-27UBKs delivered to India by the Irkutsk Aviation Plant (IAPO); 10 Su-30MKIs delivered by the IAPO to India and eight upgraded Su-24MK bombers delivered by the Novosibirsk aircraft manufacturing association to Algeria. Other Su-27 variants were delivered to members of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

Sukhoi’s order book currently exceeds $12 billion in value, Pogosyan said. Independent analysts say this may be bolstered by the potential sale of 14-16 Su-30MKM fighters to Malaysia and a number of Su-30 fighters to Vietnam.

The company captured a 40% share of the world’s combat aircraft export market last year, these analysts note, outperforming Boeing and second only to Lockheed Martin. Pogosyan noted that the company’s annual budget has remained stable over the past three years at more than $1.3 million. Employees number around 47,000, representing 9% of Russia’s aviation industry.

Sukhoi is due to begin an upgrade programme this year involving Russian air force Su-27s. A prototype model conducted its first two flights on 27 December at Komsomolsk-on-Amur.

KnAAPO deputy general manager Boris Bregman told reporters that the upgraded aircraft’s avionics incorporate elements from the Su-30MKK.

The upgraded Su-27 flight-test programme is due to last six months, after which inductions will begin with Russia’s air force.