India and Malaysia finalised the Terms of Reference (ToR) in pursuit of close bilateral defence cooperation in order to exchange expertise in Su-30 maintenance on Wednesday.
India's nearly thre-decade experience with the Su-30s makes it the second-best country after Russia to offer maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities to third nations, retired Group Captain Uttam Kumar Devnath told Sputnik India.
India and Russia signed a contract in 1996 to procure 272 Su-30MKIs. Under the agreement, Russia transferred the technology to India, paving the way for the local production of the versatile fighter jet, which currently forms the mainstay of the Indian Air Force.
Additionally, Russia helped India's state-owned aviation behemoth Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in setting up maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities related to the aircraft at its plant in Nashik in the country.
India and Russia signed a contract in 1996 to procure 272 Su-30MKIs. Under the agreement, Russia transferred the technology to India, paving the way for the local production of the versatile fighter jet, which currently forms the mainstay of the Indian Air Force.
Additionally, Russia helped India's state-owned aviation behemoth Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in setting up maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities related to the aircraft at its plant in Nashik in the country.
"At present, over 60% of the content in the Su-30MKIs is of Indian origin while the remaining 40% is sourced from Russia and HAL is also manufacturing a fresh batch of 12 Su-30MKIs for the IAF following the signing of a deal between the Indian Ministry of Defence and HAL last year," Devnath underlined.
During the production of these 12 Su-30MKIs, HAL plans to increase the local content to 62.6%, highlighting India's focus on indigenisation, the military pundit added.
Moreover, India is in the midst of a Su-30MKI modernisation program, wherein India's frontline fighters are being equipped with advanced avionics, a locally developed Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar called Virupaaksha, a state-of-the-art flight control system in their cockpits, he pointed out.
Moreover, India is in the midst of a Su-30MKI modernisation program, wherein India's frontline fighters are being equipped with advanced avionics, a locally developed Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar called Virupaaksha, a state-of-the-art flight control system in their cockpits, he pointed out.
"This means that India has been associated with the Su-30 combat planes for nearly three decades in various capacities, including its production and maintenance. Hence, India is in the best position after Russia to offer MRO facilities to any country, including Malaysia, which operates the Su-30 family of aircraft," Devnath assessed.
Also, countries like Vietnam, Myanmar, Algeria, Indonesia, and Venezuela amongst others, that have the Su-30 in their line-up, could send their warplanes to India for their repair, servicing, or upgradation, he reckoned.
After all, India would have gained valuable experience in modernising the Su-30s since it is already in the process of enhancing the capabilities of its own Su-30MKIs, the defence commentator stated.
Russia is slowly shifting its focus to producing the Su-35 and its Su-57 stealth fighter, which is why it has "given its blessings to India" for establishing large-scale MRO facilities for the Su-30s, Devnath emphasised. This would not only reduce the workload on Russian manufacturers but also make India an aviation hub in the near future, he stressed.
"Furthermore, as India has developed the capability to build the Su-30s at home, there is a huge potential to export the upgraded versions of the Su-30 to other countries. Most of all, it is a proven workhorse that has showcased its efficiency in military operations conducted by the IAF, and other air forces, nations like Malaysia may induct more such fighters in the military sooner than later," Devnath concluded.