Updated on Friday, February 03, 2006, 00:00 IST

Moscow, Feb 03: In an estimated USD 300 million deal, Belarus is to buy 18 second-hand Sukhoi SU-30k fighters from India for the modernisation of the aging Air Force of this former Soviet Republic.

According to influential financial daily "Vedomosti", 18 SU-30k fighters with limited capabilities were supplied to the Indian Air Force in 1997-98 at the initial stage of USD 4.9 billion Sukhoi deal for the development of a multi-role warbird SU-30MKI specially tailored for its specific requirements.

Cash-strapped Belarus would modernise the SU-30k jets to the su-30kn at its facilities with the help of "Russkaya Avionika" (Russian Avionics) company, a subsidiary of original manufacturer "Irkut" corporation. Sources in the aviation industry and Russian air force have confirmed the report, according to "Vedomosti".

Belarus is expected to field jets acquired from India against F-16s received by neighbouring Poland after it joined Nato, the sources say.

Under the deal for the supply of 50 SU-30 multi-role fighters signed in 1996, Russia had initially supplied 18 su-30k fighters with the limited capabilities, which were mainly used by the Indian Air Force as air defence platforms and were to be flown to Russia for upgradation to MKI standard capable of using sophisticated weapons against land and sea targets.

In 2004 Irkut Corporation had completed the deliveries of remaining 32 SU-30mki fighters and licensed production of 140 fighters has commenced at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

Bureau Report