OREANDA-NEWS. February 10, 2009. At the international exhibition and air show "Aero India-2009" to be held in  Bangalore from 11th to 15th February "Irkut" Corporation displays a wide range of military and civil aerial vehicles.

The centre-piece of Irkut display (Hall A, booth №20) is the multi-role Su-30MKI fighters developed for the Indian Air Force. These aircraft that in a way became a symbol of Irkut were being gradually inducted with the IAF since early 2000. The best testimony to the Su-30MKIs excellent flight performance and combat capabilities was the results of a number of military exercises conducted by the IAF jointly with some other countries’ AF.

The production of the Su-30MKI for the IAF and of its modifications for other countries became the Irkut key program within the past decade. In many aspects this program remains unprecedented in the history of Russia’s military-technical cooperation with foreign countries. The total value of signed contracts by now amounts to nearly USD 9 billion. Over 150 Su-30MKI aircraft are already delivered to the Air Forces of India, Malaysia and Algeria.

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. masters licensed production of the Su-30MKI from the technical kits manufactured by Irkut Corporation.  The upgrading of the Su-30MKI Phases 1 and 2 to the final technical configuration is under way with the aid from Irkut in order to unify the IAF’s fleet. Traditionally the IAF’s Su-30MKI fighters can be admired at the "Aero India" static display and in daily display flights.

At the booth Irkut Corporation displays the model of the Yak-130 combat trainer jet developed by the illustrious Yakovlev Design Bureau that now makes part of Irkut. This jet was chosen as the main aircraft for basic and advanced training for pilots of the Russian Air Force.  As of today, the Yak-130 is the only new-generation combat trainer ordered both by national and foreign Air Forces.

At "Aero India" Irkut also presents its latest development in civila aviation domain: the МС-21 short/mid-range passenger airliner with 150-210 seating capacity intended to replace the Tupolev-154.

Among other exhibits there are the model of the Be-200ChS amphibious aircraft already well-known both in Russia and abroad, as well as the information about up-to-date UAVs designs with some of them undergoing trial operation by Russia’s state and commercial agencies.

Irkut President Oleg Demchenko highlights: "Our Company traditionally takes active part in "Aero India" with the view to further strengthen the long-standing cooperation with our partners in Indian aviation industry. At the 2009 exhibition we are proudly presenting our latest achievements both in military and civil aerospace".