Shortcomings in Sukhoi aircrafts — CAG

The report tabled in Parliament also said the navigation system of the SU-30 K lacked accuracy, and had limited capability for accurate weapon delivery and weapon systems controls were poorly integrated.

In startling findings, CAG said although the aircraft was carrying large weapon payload, the air-to-ground armaments did not include any precision guided ammunition which had been key requirement in Kargil operations.

The eighth report of the CAG comes even as government in the course of the current parliamentary session has been repeatedly denying queries from members of any shortcomings in the country’s mainstay fighter aircraft.

The CAG has warned the aircraft on account of its large size and almost 5,000 km range could find it difficult to survive against modern air defence system "unless its avionics, radar and electronic warfare system were upgraded and well integrated".

The CAG pulled up the Defence Ministry for running heavily behind schedule the induction of the upgraded Sukhoi-30 MK aircraft saying that none of the 14 partially upgraded aircraft scheduled for delivery up to December 1999 had been delivered mainly due to set back in identification, development and import of avionic sub-systems.

In a scathing attack on the Defence Ministry, the CAG said the Ministry had opted for an uncertain route of joint development which proved not only delay-prone but also rendered the entire upgradation of these aircraft within the country significantly complex in terms of technology and management.

India has signed agreement in 1998 for the supply of 40 SU-30 MK aircraft and associated equipment at a cost of Rs 5,122 crore and an additional expenditure of Rs 1,188 crore for indigenous development and import of avionic systems.

The contract provided supply of eight SU-30 K air defence aircraft in 1997 and 32 upgraded SU0 MK multi-role aircraft between 1998 and 01.

The CAG in its latest report said the induction programme of multi-role aircraft has already been delayed by 18 to 24 months and is likely to suffer further delays.