<p>Replying to supplementary questions, Defence Minister A K Antony said since 1996, the IAF had procured 98 SU-30 MKI and by 2015 the force plans to have 230 aircraft. <br /><br />The long-range striker had an unblemished safety record till April 30 when the first Su-30 MKI crashed near Jaisalmer. <br /><br />While both pilots ejected from the aircraft, the flying inspector occupying the rear cockpit succumbed to injuries. <br /><br />Following the accident, the IAF suspended all Su-30 MKI flights till the all the fighters are thoroughly checked. A Russian team visited India to probe the accident whose report will be a part of the Court of Inquiry proceedings. <br /><br />However, the IAF still plans to use Su-30 MKI as one of its mainstay aircraft—along with the 126 medium multi role combat aircraft and the indigenous light combat aircraft—in the long run phasing out all other types of fighter aircraft.<br /><br />Minister of State for Defence M M Pallam Raju said the black box of the crashed Su-30 MKI was badly damaged and has been sent to the UK for retrieving information.<br /><br />In 1996, India signed a $ 1.46 billion contract with Russia to buy 40 Su-30s and a technology transfer agreement for licensed production of 140 fighters at the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited facility in Nasik. Later the first generation Su-30s were upgraded to Su-30 MKI.<br /></p>
<p>Replying to supplementary questions, Defence Minister A K Antony said since 1996, the IAF had procured 98 SU-30 MKI and by 2015 the force plans to have 230 aircraft. <br /><br />The long-range striker had an unblemished safety record till April 30 when the first Su-30 MKI crashed near Jaisalmer. <br /><br />While both pilots ejected from the aircraft, the flying inspector occupying the rear cockpit succumbed to injuries. <br /><br />Following the accident, the IAF suspended all Su-30 MKI flights till the all the fighters are thoroughly checked. A Russian team visited India to probe the accident whose report will be a part of the Court of Inquiry proceedings. <br /><br />However, the IAF still plans to use Su-30 MKI as one of its mainstay aircraft—along with the 126 medium multi role combat aircraft and the indigenous light combat aircraft—in the long run phasing out all other types of fighter aircraft.<br /><br />Minister of State for Defence M M Pallam Raju said the black box of the crashed Su-30 MKI was badly damaged and has been sent to the UK for retrieving information.<br /><br />In 1996, India signed a $ 1.46 billion contract with Russia to buy 40 Su-30s and a technology transfer agreement for licensed production of 140 fighters at the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited facility in Nasik. Later the first generation Su-30s were upgraded to Su-30 MKI.<br /></p>
