In a significant development, Bengaluru-based Defence Major Hindustan Aeronautics limited (HAl) has handed over a SU-30 fitted with BrahMos missiles to Indian Air Force. According to T Suvarna Raju, Chairman, HAl, a fully integrated first Sukhoi SU-30 with BrahMos supersonic cruise missile was handed over to the Indian Air Force.
He said “Su-30 has become a very lethal weapon delivery platform with the successful integration of BrahMos supersonic cruise missile.”
Raju said that HAl had completed BrahMos integration with all analysis. The aircraft was handed over to IAF at the ongoing Aero India-2015 on Thursday at Yelahanka airbase.
Raju said that HAl has provided a cost effective indigenous solution to BAPl (BrahMos Aerospace Private limited).
“This is a proud moment for HAl. The successful completion of the first Su-30 aircraft integrated with BrahMos missile shows the synergy between DRDO, HAl and IAF. We are hopeful of rolling out the second aircraft in a record time”, he said at the event.
The flight clearance certificate was handed over by K Tamilmani, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) director-general (Aeronautics), to Air Marshal SBP Sinha, Deputy Chief of Air Staff. The aircraft acceptance certificate was handed over by AM Raja Kannu, DG, (Aeronautical Quality Assurance) to Air Marshal Sukhchain Singh.
HAl said it took up the programme as ‘an indigenous challenge’ at its Nasik division in 2010 and overcame several difficulties due to the limited design data of Su-30 MKI. It received approval in January 2011 and order for integration was obtained from BAPl in January 2014.
BrahMos missile, an India-Russia joint venture, is a two-stage supersonic cruise missile with a 290-km range for destroying high value and strategic installation.
Speaking to the media, Raju also informed that last month HAl had handed over the first overhauled Su-30 MKI aircraft to IAF from its newly set up Nashik facility which is made with an investment of over Rs2,000 crore. “With this facility, HAl has developed capabilities to support Su-30 fleet for next 30 to 40 years. This is the only one of its kind of facilities in the world, he added.