Question : AGREEMENT FOR PROCUREMENT OF SUKHOI AIRCRAFT

(a) whether an agreement was signed with Russia for the procurement of Sukhoi-30 aircrafts;

(b) if so, the number of aircrafts received so far and the time by which the the remaining aircrafts would be received;

(c) the total amount paid to Russia in advance for purchase of these aircrafts;

(d) whether Russia is using Sukhoi-30 aircrafts in their country; and

(e) if not, the reasons therefor and the efforts made by the Government to get back the advance money already paid to Russia?

MINISTER OF DEFENCE (SHRI GEORGE FERNANDES)

(a) to (e): SU-30 K/SU-30 MKI aircraft are being procured from Russia. These are being delivered in batches. The first batch has already been received. As per available information, Russia is not operating SU-30 K aircraft. Since the aircraft are being delivered in batches, there is no proposal to get back the advance paid to Russia. The advance paid was 142.268 million U.S. dollars in October 1996.