Lok Sabha Question No. 3555 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-01-02
Subject: SU-30 MK Jet
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: HARIOM SINGH RATHORE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE PRODUCTION

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3555

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 2 ND  JANUARY, 2019

## SU-30 MK  JET

3555.  SHRI  HARIOM  SINGH  RATHORE:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE j{kk ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  indigenous  SU-30  MK-I  is  costlier  than  Russian  SU-30  of  same specifications;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the cost of the said indigenously manufactured jet is likely to be cheaper than Russian one in future and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the HAL missed the deadline for upgradation of Jaguar fighter jet and if so, the reasons therefor; and
- (e) the action taken by the Government for resolving the issue of master computer and multi function display?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE

(DR. SUBHASH BHAMRE)

IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

र  ा रा य मं ी

(डा. सुभाष भामरे)

(a) & (b): Yes  ,  Madam.    However,  the  specifications  of  Russian  SU-30 and indigenously manufactured SU-30MKI  are not the same, hence,  one to one comparison of cost may not be appropriate.

The  higher  cost  of  indigenously  manufactured  SU-30MKI  is  due  to following factors:-

- (i) Additional modifications are incorporated in the indigenous Su-30MKI  to  enhance  the  operational  capability  and  to  suit  Indian Air Force (IAF) requirements.

……2/-

(ii) Being a Transfer of Technology  (ToT) programme,  cost  is involved towards payment of license fee to Russian side. (iii)  Owing to  the  low  volume of  production  of  Indian  SU-30  MKI  as compared to Russian SU-30, economies of scale come into play. (iv)  Import of raw materials and proprietary components from Russia involves dependency on Russian Original Equipment Manufacturers  (OEMs)  for  the  offered  kit  costs,  which  are  not proportionate with the kit contents. However,  indigenous  manufacturing  has  created  advanced  skill sets in the country, a step towards self-reliance and will result in lower Life Cycle Cost and reduced dependency on OEM  on  repair & maintenance  and  faster  turn-around  time  and  quick  support  to  IAF bases. (c) Since the facilities are indigenously established, future production  supplies  is  likely  to  be  cheaper  if  new  order  for  bulk production is placed on HAL. (d)     The Contract for upgradation of 61 Jaguar Display, Attack, Range and  Inertial  Navigation-I  (DARIN-I)  aircraft  to  DARIN-III  standard  was signed  with  HAL  in  December  2009.  Contractual  timelines  for  Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) and Final Operational Clearance (FOC) were December  2012  &  June  2013  respectively.  Contractual  timelines  for delivery of all the Series Upgrade aircraft was December 2017.  IOC has been obtained in February 2017.   FOC has not yet been achieved. The delay in the project is due to following reasons:(i) Introduction  of  certain  new  requirements  projected  by  IAF which  required additional software  design,    implementation and flight trials efforts. (ii) Delay in supply of certain Buyers Furnished Equipments by

- IAF.

……3/-

:  3  :

(iii) Up gradation of certain equipment like Smart Multi- Function Display sought by IAF. (e) The  development  of  Mission  Computer  was  taken  up  by  HAL through  its  Joint  Venture  Company,  HAL  Edgewood  Technologies Limited  (HETL).  After  some  initial  delay,  the  development  of  Mission Computer has now been completed. Regarding Smart Multi Function Display (SMFD), as per the revised requirement  of  IAF,  a  suitable  alternative  has  been  identified  by  HAL. This SMFD has also attained certification. The progress of Jaguar DARIN-III upgrade programme is regularly reviewed by Ministry of Defence through meetings with HAL & IAF.

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