Su-30MK jets to debut at Lima '07

Posted on: Jun. 27th, 2006 || Source: nst.com.my | E-mail Article | Print Article

Su-30MK jets to debut at Lima '07

KUALA LUMPUR: The Royal Malaysian Air Force's Sukhoi Su-30MKM will make its debut at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace exhibition (Lima '07) next year.

The first batch of the aircraft is expected to be delivered before the five-day event from Dec 4 to 8 next year.

"We plan to receive the first batch of jets to be an attraction at the event," said Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak after launching preparations for the aerospace component of Lima ’07.

Although Najib did not specify the number of aircraft ordered, it is learnt that six had been manufactured in Russia.

The six aircraft await fitting with avionics as these components are sourced from outside Russia.

The letter "M" for "Malaysia" was added to the Russian-made Su-30MK because the aircraft was modified to RMAF specifications.

(India operates a similar version, designated Su-30MKI.)

Malaysia ordered 18 such aircraft for US$900 million (RM3.24 billion) to supplement its existing fleet of Russian MiG-29N aircraft.

Under the deal, Russia agreed to a transfer of technology worth 30 per cent of the jets’ purchase cost, or RM1.06 billion. The package includes the RM90 million budget needed to send a Malaysian into space.

Najib said Lima ’07 is set to be a bigger event especially with Visit Malaysia Year and the nation’s 50th year Independence celebrations.
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