Indian Navy To Purchase Two More Russia Ilyushin IL-38 Reconnaissance Aircrafts
Dated 22/7/2007
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News wire reports indicate that the Indian Navy is keen in acquiring up to two more IL 38 maritime reconnaissance aircrafts. This was initially reported by the Press Trust of India.
This acquisition is to bolster the now depleted fleet of Indian Navy spy planes. The new planes to be purchased would be the upgraded version of the aircraft fitted with advanced Sea Dragons suits says PTI.
The Ilyushin Il-38 (NATO reporting name: May) is a maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare aircraft developed from the Il-18 turboprop transport. The Il-38 is a product of Ilyushin.
General characteristics (Source: Open Encyclopedia)
* Crew: Ten
* Length: 39.60 m (129 ft 11 in)
* Wingspan: 37.42 m (122 ft 9 in)
* Height: 10.16 m (33 ft 4 in)
* Wing area: 140 m² (1,506 ft²)
* Empty weight: 33,700 kg (74,140 lb)
* Max takeoff weight: 63,500 kg (139,700 lb)
* Powerplant: 4× Progress AI-20M turboprops, 3,170 kW (4,250 hp) each
Performance
* Maximum speed: 650 km/h (353 knots, 406 mph)
* Range: 9,500 km (5,130 nm, 5,937 mi)
* Service ceiling: 10,000 m (32,800 ft)
* Rate of climb: 320 m/min (1,050 ft/min)
Armament
* 5,000 kg (11,000 lb) of disposable stores, including depth-charges, mines, torpedoes and bombs.
The deal is said will be cleared during Naval Chief Admiral Arun Prakash's upcoming visit to Russia and the aircrafts are likely to be supplied by 2008 and would join Navy's already purchased new fleet of three IL-38 aircraft. Navy's plans to buy eight more advanced maritime reconnaissance aircraft and has already floated international tenders for it.
Three major companies US Lockheed Martin offering their upgraded version P3C orions, Boeing P8 jet and Russian Irkut company offering their IL-38 have responded to the Naval Request for Proposal (RFP).