karatecatman Guest
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Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 3:47 pm Post subject: IAF to get fourth Sukhoi squadron soon |
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IAF fighter fleet to get a boost with fourth Sukhoi squadron
N C Bipindra
New Delhi, Sep 21 (PTI) India will soon get its air superiority fighter fleet strengthened with the IAF raising the fourth squadron of Sukhoi multirole, strike fighters in February next.
"The fourth squadron of Su-30 MKI will be raised coming February and it is most likely be stationed in Lohegaon near Pune immediately after the raising," a top IAF officer told PTI here today.
The IAF already has three squadrons of 60 Su-30 MKIs -- the most potent fighter aircraft in the IAF fighter fleet -- deployed in Lohegaon and Bareilly.
While Lohegaon is the home station for the 20 'Lightnings' Squadron, the 24 'Hawks' Squadron is currently based in Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh.
The third operational squadron, 30 'Rhinos', is currently based in Lohegaon, but would ultimately move to Tezpur in Assam near the borders with China, once the fourth squadron of Sukhois is raised.
The 20 Su-30s required for the new squadron will come from the 40 aircraft ordered directly from Russia last year under a fast-track acquisition process, the officer said.
"The first set of aircraft in a knocked-down condition will reach Nasik, where it would be assembled and fitted with French and Israeli avionics beginning February next. Simultaneously, the new squadron would be raised," sources said.
A Sukhoi squadron usually consist of about 20 aircraft. PTI |
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