New Straits Times(27-06-2006)
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/nst/Tuesday/National/20060627095244/Article/local1_html
Su-30MK jets to debut at Lima ‘07
KUALA LUMPUR: The Royal Malaysian Air Force’s Sukhoi Su-30MKM will make its
debut at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace exhibition (Lima
’07) next year.
The first batch of the aircraft is expected to be delivered before the five-day
event from Dec 4 to 8 next year.
"We plan to receive the first batch of jets to be an attraction at the event,"
said Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak after
launching preparations for the aerospace component of Lima ’07.
Although Najib did not specify the number of aircraft ordered, it is learnt
that six had been manufactured in Russia.
The six aircraft await fitting with avionics as these components are sourced
from outside Russia.
The letter "M" for "Malaysia" was added to the Russian-made Su-30MK because
the aircraft was modified to RMAF specifications.
(India operates a similar version, designated Su-30MKI.)
Malaysia ordered 18 such aircraft for US$900 million (RM3.24 billion) to
supplement its existing fleet of Russian MiG-29N aircraft.
Under the deal, Russia agreed to a transfer of technology worth 30 per cent
of the jets’ purchase cost, or RM1.06 billion. The package includes the RM90
million budget needed to send a Malaysian into space.
Najib said Lima ’07 is set to be a bigger event especially with Visit Malaysia
Year and the nation’s 50th year Independence celebrations.