India Halts Ilyushin 38SD Upgrades, Cites Technical Flaws, Unability To Meet Requirements By Russian Co.
Dated 7/9/2007
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JSC Ilyushin general director Viktor Livanov told Interfax that India has halted the delivery of five upgraded Ilyushin 38SD maritime patrol planes, citing technical flaws.
'The Indian military is not accepting the planes, they are recommending additional tests and constantly coming up with new demands not foreseen in the contract,' Livanov said. Livanov said the Indians were not satisfied with the Sea Dragon navigation and targeting system on the aircraft.
Earlier, the Russian newspaper Kommersant reported that the contract, signed in 2001 with the Rosoboronexport arms exporter, is worth 150 mln usd. The newspaper also said that the current dispute could jeopardize a potential 400 mln usd contract with the Indian navy for eight aircraft.