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Arun Mohanty in Zhukovsky (Russia)
Russia has sought to blame India for the frequent crashes of the Indian Air Force's MiG aircraft, attributing them to the low quality of spares New Delhi buys.
"India buys low-quality spare parts from the Ukraine and East European countries. At times, it even buys spare parts that have outlived their utility, thus creating conditions for frequent crashes," Vladimir Barkovsky, deputy general designer of the MiG Corporation, told the Indo-Asian News Service on the sidelines of the MAKS-2001 international air show held at the Moscow suburb of Zhukovsky.
The IAF operates MiG-21 strike aircraft, MiG-23 and MiG-29 fighters, MiG-27 bombers and MiG-25P spy aircraft. The first batch of MiG aircraft joined the IAF in the mid-1960s.
According to official figures, as many as 93 IAF aircraft have crashed, killing 34 pilots, over the past five years. Most accidents have been attributed to technical failures and many to pilot error.
While most crashes have involved ageing MiG-21 aircraft, the mainstay of the fleet, nine MiG-23s have also met with accidents over the last two years.
A total of 125 MiG-21s are being modernised with the help of the MiG Corporation.
"These spare parts may cost a little less, but ultimately you pay a much higher price when pilots lose their lives as a result of the crashes. This also delivers a heavy blow to MiG's reputation around the world," Barkovsky said.
Accusing the IAF of not providing full details of the crashes, he said this had prevented corrective measures from being worked out.
"We are better placed to ascertain the reason for these crashes. We are obviously keen to help India in preventing these incidents. But, unfortunately, we do not get sufficient information about these crashes so that we can investigate them," Barkovsky said.
Expressing concern at reports that India is negotiating with Israel to upgrade its MiG-27 and MiG-29 aircraft, he said that to keep Russia out of the exercise gave it a "dangerous dimension" and would have "serious consequences" for the IAF.
"Russia has doubts that successful upgrading of the MiG-27 and Mig-29 can be achieved without its participation," Barkovsky said.
The IAF has a fleet of 66 MiG-27 and 100 MiG-29 aircraft that need to be upgraded.
"We have offered an upgradation programme for these aircraft to India. Our programme is not only technically better and economically more cost-effective, but will also enhance the combat potential of these aircraft," he said.
"Only Russia possesses the technology for prolonging the operational capabilities of these aircraft. Neither Israel nor any other country has this technology, and Russia will not part with it to another country," Barkovsky said.
Speaking about the controversy over remarks by the Russian Air Force chief that the MiG-AT advanced jet trainer is not suitable for the IAF because of its "obsolete" engine, Barkovsky said a presentation on the aircraft had recently been made in New Delhi and there had been an "understanding" response from the Indian side.
The IAF has been engaged in a 15-year search for an AJT that enables pilots to transit from propeller-driven trainers to sophisticated jet aircraft. It was recently announced that the search had been narrowed to the British-built Hawk. But the negotiations collapsed over the pricing.
Barkovsky said talks on the purchase by India of the MiG-29K ship-launched fighter were "proceeding successfully" and an agreement may be signed during Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's visit to Moscow this year.
The MiG-29K will be based on the aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov that India is likely to acquire from Russia.
Indo-Asian News Service
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