The agreement last month between the Russian manufacturers of Sukhoi-30 aircraft and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for supply of spares does not entail any technology transfer, parliament was told on Tuesday.
"Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has signed agreements with Russian original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) and United Engine Corporation (UEC) for long-term support on after sales service of Su-30 MKI aircraft...
"The Agreement signed by HAL with Russian OEMs are for long-term supply of spares and rendering technical assistance for five years and do not cover any technology transfer," Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply.
The agreement, signed during the Indo-Russia Military-Industrial Conference held here on March 17-18, will allow HAL to procure spares on the price catalogues directly from the manufacturers, thus improving the after sales service by reducing lead time in their procurement.
The frontline strike fighter of the Indian Air Force has suffered serviceability problems in the past
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One of the agreements, signed between HAL and UAC, is for the supply of spares and technical assistance for five years, while the second between HAL and UEC is for supply of spares for engines of Russian origin.
A report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) in December 2015 said Su-30 MKI aircraft with the IAF suffer from poor serviceability, which is just around 55 per cent against the prescribed norm of 75 per cent.
In January 2017, then Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said the serviceability of the fighters has improved, and is now at 60 per cent. Informed sources said the present serviceability of the Su-30 MKI fleet is between 60 and 65 per cent.
--IANS
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