RUSSIA TO SELL SU-30 FIGHTERS MADE IN IRKUTSK

5 Jan 1997

As expected, Russia has formally signed an agreement 
to sell Su-30MKI's to India.  The initial purchase will be 
for 40 aircraft delivered in four batches and built in Irkutsk.  
Eight are to be delivered in 1997, 8 in 1998, and 12 in 1999 
and 2000.  The second batch will have improved avionics, including
a rear-facing radar, and the 12 delivered in 1999 will also have 
canards.  The final configuration will also have thrust 
vectoring. As soon as the final aircraft are delivered, the 
initial aircraft will be upgraded as necessary.

See more information on the Irkutsk Aviation Production Assoc.
at WWW Irkutsk Webserver.

 -- Source: Aviation Week and Space Technology, 
    Issue Dec 1996, p. 21