The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited will supply crucial components for assembly of state-of-art multi-role Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets ordered by Malaysia under the US $900 million deal with Russia, a senior official said on Thursday.
Under the deal signed earlier this month during President Vladimir Putin's Kuala Lumpur visit, Malaysia is to get 18 Sukhoi fighters based on MKI version jointly developed by Delhi and Moscow for specific requirements of the Indian Air Force.
Under the production cooperation, HAL will supply up to 10 per cent components made of advanced composite materials for the airframes of Malaysian fighters, president of IRKUT Aircraft Corporation Alexei Fyodorov told PTI on the sidelines of the international aerospace show -- 'MAKS-2003'.
IRKUT's aircraft plant in Irkutsk (Siberia) is currently executing the Indian order for the supply of 50 Su-30MKI multi-role fighters, regarded by experts as the 'best' warplane today.
"The Malaysians opted for the Indian MKI, which is made only in our plant. This version has many Indian components, including mission control computer and radio altimeter. The Indian manufacturers will also supply these components to us for the assembly jets for Malaysia," Fyodorov said.
He, however, did not disclose India's share in the $900 million deal.