Serviceability of Sukhoi jets improving: Parrikar

The serviceability of the Sukhoi SU-30MKI fighter jets have increased over the past eight-nine months, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said Tuesday, adding that it will further improve in the coming months.

The IAF's frontline combat jets have faced serviceability issues, specially after the disintegration of the Soviet Union, as many companies making spare parts separated from Russia.

"With concentrated efforts, we have been able to increase the serviceability of the Sukhois by about seven per cent over the last eight-nine months. So, that is an achievement," Parrikar informed the Rajya Sabha as members raised questions on the availability of spare parts.

The minister said by the end of the year, the serviceability will improve by 70 percent.

"We have improved the serviceability by seven per cent, almost from 49-50 to 56-57 per cent, we intend to get it 70 per cent by year end," he said.

Addressing the issue of spares, he said some these "were coming from the Ukraine and also Russia. We do have problems. We have taken up the issue with the Russian government. In fact, I had a discussion with the (Russian) minister. In certain cases, with approval, we are also acquiring replacement parts from western sources. Some of the sources of the Russians themselves are western," he said.

"A lot of them are from Israel, France and the like. So, those are being brought directly with Russia's approval or, in certain cases, we are coordinating the efforts and getting the spares," he said.