Over Rs 834 crore spent on Sukhoi maintenance

A sum of Rs 834.76 crore was spent in 2013-14 for the repair and maintenance of country's frontline fighter aircraft Sukhoi-30, government informed the Rajya Sabha today.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said Rs 877.84 crore was spent for the purpose in 2012-13, while in 2011-12 the amount stood at 551.35 crore.
In a written reply, he said the maintenance work on SU-30 is carried out in accordance with the procedures specified in the original equipment manufacturer maintenance manuals and servicing schedules for the aircraft.
He was asked whether the SU-30s are meeting with accidents due to Air Force not carrying out timely maintenance of the aircraft.

Responding to a question on a recent crash of the aircraft, he said a court of inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident.
The nearly 200-strong Su-30 fleet, which was grounded after the crash, has now been cleared for flying.
IAF is already down to 34 combat squadrons, as against an authorised strength of 44. Each squadron has up to 18 fighter planes.
The latest crash was the fifth accident involving a SU-30 MKI since 2009 and the fleet had been grounded twice earlier.