Moscow - Spa
Belarus is expected receive 18 renovated fighter
jets that until recently were operated by the Indian air force, a
leading Russian news magazine reported Friday, dpa reported.
The Belarusian air force \"is most likely\" to obtain the
Russian-built Su-30K planes after their refurbishment, Kommersant
news magazine reported, citing an unnamed official in national arms
trading company Rosoboroneksport.
The price of a single fighter jet, once modernized, would be 15
million dollars, the article said, adding that the overhaul take
place at a facility in the Belarusian city Baranovichy.
However, the Kremlin has reportedly not made a final decision on
where the former Indian jets will be sold.
A 1996 Moscow-Delhi arms deal marked the first foreign sale of
Russia\'s Su-30 fighter, a plane touted by Moscow at the time as
capable of competing on even terms with all but the very best US
fighters.
But the first 18 of a planned 230 aircraft were sent to India with
simplified avionics, because of Russian production problems.
India is now returning these less capable planes, designated
Su-30K, to the Russian manufacturer Sukhoi, after replacing them with
the more capable Su-30MKI fighter jet, the article said.
The Su-30MKI is India\'s main air superiority fighter jet, a type
of aircraft designed to seize control of enemy airspace. Dehli
currently operates 140 of the jets, and is planning to manufacture
more under license.