is this news true?? Su3omki grounded etc..

Can Indians plz confirm this news if its true or not?

Indian Air Force Chief Seeks Answers to Su-30MKI’s
Troubles in Russia
By VIVEK RAGHUVANSHI, NEW DELHI

Air Chief Marshal Sriniwasapuram Krishnaswamy, chief
of the Indian Air Force, began an emergency four-day
visit to Russia on Oct.15 to find solutions to
problems that have grounded India’s Su-30 MKI fleet.

One squadron of the Air Force’s Russian-made Su-30MKIs
has been grounded for 10 weeks because of serious
engine problems and cracks in the aircraft’s fins.

A senior Air Force official here told DefenseNews.com
on Oct.15 that Krishnaswamy will address the issues
with his Russian counterpart, Col. Gen. Vladimir
Mikhailov, and top brass of Rosoboronexport, Russia’s
arms export agency. Krishnaswamy also will visit
aircraft maker Irkutsk Aviation Production
Association, Irkutsk, Russia, for detailed
discussions.

For India, the grounding of the 18 Su-30 MKIs raises
doubts about its deal with Russia for licensed
production of 120 of the aircraft at Hindustan
Aeronautics Ltd.’s Nasik facility in western India,
the Air Force official said.

Further, the problems with the Sukhoi fleet could have
serious effects on future Indian Air Force plans to
procure Russian equipment, a seniorIndian Ministry of
Defence official said.

The Air Force has been considering buying the
Russian-built Vympel R-77 missile, which is designed
to destroy other aircraft beyond visual range. The
missile has an active radar finder and a maximum range
of 90 to 100 kilometers and flies at four times the
speed of sound.

The Ministry of Defence official said Krishnaswamy
also will discuss with the Russians the status of
another joint venture program with India — the design
and development of the Multi-Role Aircraft, which has
yet to take off.

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd., Bangalore, and the Russian
firms Irkutsk Aviation Industrial Association and
Ilyushin Aviation Complex in April 2002 signed a
memorandum of understanding for co-production of the
Multi-Role Aircraft in in both India and Russia.

Under the agreement, four prototypes of the aircraft
would be produced, and the first would be expected to
fly by 2006.