Irkutsk, 24th May 2007
THE FIRST TWO SERIALLY PRODUCED Su-30MKM FIGHTERS FOR THE ROYAL MALAYSIAN AIR FORCE HAS BEEN DEMONSTRATED.
Irkutsk Aviation plant – 24th May 2007. The first two serially produced Su-30MKM fighter aircraft for the Royal Malaysan Airforce (RMAF) were rolled out and demonstrated today at the Irkutsk Aviation plant. The ceremony was attended by a high-ranking delegation of the Malaysian Defence Ministry and the RMAF, top management of “Rosoboronexport”, the Russian aircraft design and production agencies, and a large number of media representatives from Malaysia and Russia.
In 2003 the Su-30МКМ was selected by the RMAF with the main competing aircraft being the American F-18 Super Hornet. In August 2003, during the course of President Vladimir Putin’s official visit to Malaysia, the contract for the supply of a number of Su30MKM aircraft was signed. Up until then the RMAF mainly operated aircraft of Western origin, except for the Russian MiG-29s held in high esteem by the RMAF.
The Su-30МКМ (multi-role, commercial, Malaysian) is the latest version of the renowned multifunctional fighter the Su-30МКI. This was delivered to the Indian Air Force by the “Irkut” Corporation in 2002-2004 and is now being produced under license by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (India). The successful operation of the Su-30MKI in India greatly influenced the decision of the Malaysian top brass in the selection process of the multi-role aircraft requirement for the RMAF.
The Su-30МКМ was developed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau on basis of the super maneuverable fighter the Su-30MKI. The aircraft has the same aerodynamically perfect airframe, state-of-the-art engine with the Thrust Vector Control (TVC) and the most advanced digital fly-by-wire system. The MKM version differs from the MKI by virtue of the composition of the onboard avionics. The French company ТHALES supplies the Head-up display (HUD), navigational forward-looking IR system NAVFLIR and Laser Designation pod (LDP Damocles). Aircraft carries missile approach warning sensor (MAWS) and laser warning sensor (LWS) manufactured by the AVITRONICS company (South Africa).
The electronic warfare (EW) system, up-to-date radar (with a phased antenna array capable of simultaneously tracking 15 and attacking 4 targets), optic-location system with the laser rangefinder are all produced by leading Russian manufacturers.
Officers from the RMAF have formed a Su-30MKM Project Team which is based in Moscow; the team has actively participated in the integration of all the avionics systems.
According to the contracts in place the “Irkut” Corporation will deliver to the RMAF the bulk of the fighter aircraft in 2007 with the balance to be delivered in 2008.
Oleg Demchenko, the President of the Corporation, points out “The Su-30MKI and Su-30MKM projects are proof that our products meet the customer’s most demanding requirements. The Air Forces of Malaysia, India and other countries have already decided in the favor of this type aircraft.”
According to Victor Komardin, Deputy Director General of FSUE “Rosoboronexport”, “now it is mandatory to introduce new forms and methods of the mutually beneficial cooperation. Our agency currently expands the nomenclature of the Russian export while paying a special attention to the offset programs’ implementation, joint ventures’ setup and technology transfer. Accordingly, the offset clause of the Contract with Malaysia envisages the on-site setup of the Service center for the Russian-made aircraft as well as the assistance in promoting the Malaysian national space program. In autumn 2007 the first Malaysian cosmonaut is due to visit the International Space Station as a member of the 16th space crew".
