Aircraft
Russia and India Negotiating Su-30 Combat Jet Support Deal
Goal is to improve availability, which has not been good, Indians say.
Indian air force ground crew with an Su-30MKI on exercise at RAF Coningsby in the UK. (Photo: Chris Pocock)
Indian air force ground crew with an Su-30MKI on exercise at RAF Coningsby in the UK. (Photo: Chris Pocock)

Russia and India are close to signing a long-term support agreement for the fleet of Sukhoi Su-30MKI combat aircraft operated by the Indian Air Force (IAF). It includes an improved schedule for the delivery of spares from Russia, local manufacturing of some spares and the creation of logistics hub for the aircraft at the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) production facility in Bangalore. India has contracted for the delivery of more than 300 of these aircraft.