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Government orders probe into Sukhoi deal

India today said it would probe a $1.4 billion US deal for 30 Russian Sukhoi 30MKI aircraft, as reports emerged that the aircraft may not even be battle-worthy.

The chief of air staff, Air Chief Marshal Anil Yaswant Tipnis, said the deal, signed in 1994, would "certainly come under scrutiny" following a sweeping order issued last week by Defence Minister George Fernandes to investigate every large military purchase over the past 15 years.

"I expect the Sukhoi deal will be certainly scrutinised by the Central Vigilance Commission, the Central Bureau of Investigation, and the Comptroller and Auditor-General," ACM Tipnis said.

Russia has so far supplied 17 Su-30MKI planes and has pledged to send another batch later this year.

The Pioneer alleged today that the planes sold by Russia's Sukhoi Design Bureau were unsuitable for India and lacked avionics or weapons packages.

The newspaper said Rs 10 billion ($232 million) had been paid in bribes to clinch the contract and the jets delivered so far were not SU-30s at all, but actually SU-27 trainers.

ACM Tipnis said the upgraded Sukhoi planes still to be delivered would have superior avionics and guidance systems, as well as the capability to carry large ordnance and smart weapons. "The present SU-30s with the Indian Air Force are not the final version," he conceded.

But he said the probe would not come in the way of the acquisition of advanced jet trainers which the IAF expects to come through before the yearend "or even faster".

"For the air force, it is certainly a very urgent requirement. We will be seeking a very early decision and a go-ahead," the chief said. Experts say the choice of trainer has narrowed down to the British Aerospace Hawk and the Alpha Jet of the French firm, Dassault.

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