NPK Irkut has resumed assembly of the Sukhoi Su-30K interceptor at its IAPO plant in Irkutsk, central Siberia.
Production was suspended in 1998 after completion of an 18-aircraft order for the Indian air force. Irkut chairman Aleksei Fiodorov confirms Su-30K work has been revived, but has not revealed the customer.
Assembly work on the similar Su-27UBK two-seat trainer was also halted in 2002. At that time, NPK Irkut said it would concentrate on the customised Indian Su-30MKI, as well as working on the Su-30MKM derivative for the Royal Malaysian Air Force.
The new production aircraft are being completed in the Su-30KN configuration, with a glass cockpit, improved N-001 radar and a secure datalink. Irkut has, meanwhile, been continuing tests on a "Stage 2", featuring Tikhomirov's NIIP-developed Pero passive phased-array radar antenna with electronic beam scanning. The firm is also working on "Stage 3" prototypes with all-new Akva radars.
These are aimed at providing Russian air force air-defence units with "flight commander" platforms capable of co-ordinating less sophisticated Su-27s. The aircraft will also be able to deploy precision-guided munitions in a ground-attack role.
Source: Flight International