Over Rs 834 crore spent on Sukhoi maintenance

NEW DELHI: India has spent over Rs 2,263 crore for the repair and maintenance of country's frontline fighter aircraft Sukhoi-30 since 2011, the government told Rajya Sabha.

In a written reply, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said Rs 834.76 crore was spent in 2013-14 while Rs 877.84 crore was spent for the purpose in 2012-13. The government had spent Rs 551.35 crore in 2011-12.

He said the maintenance work on SU-30 aircraft is carried out in accordance with the procedures specified in the original equipment manufacturer maintenance manuals and servicing schedules for the plane.

He was asked whether the SU-30s are meeting with accidents due to the air force not carrying out timely maintenance of the aircraft.

Responding to a question on a recent crash of a SU-30 aircraft, Parrikar said a Court of Inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident.

The nearly 200-strong Su-30 fleet, which was grounded after the crash, has now been cleared for flying.

IAF is already down to 34 combat squadrons, as against an authorised strength of 44. Each squadron has up to 18 fighter planes.

The latest crash was the fifth accident involving a SU-30 MKI since 2009 and the fleet had been grounded twice earlier.