MOSCOW. June 15 (Interfax-AVN) - Moscow will host Russian-Indian negotiations on handing over two Ilyushin Il-38 aircraft in service with the Russian Navy to the Indian Navy, Viktor Livanov, Director General of the Ilyushin Company, told Interfax-Military News Agency on Wednesday.
"The Indian Navy delegation, which has recently arrived in Russia, will familiarize itself with modernization of Il-38s in service with the Indian naval aviation. The sides may also sign a contract on upgrading and handing over two Il-38s in the inventory of the Russian naval aviation to the Indian side," Livanov said.
According to him, the Indian Navy delegation will also visit St. Petersburg.
Livanov pointed out that the Russian Navy had already allocated aircraft to be transferred to India. "The aircraft have preliminary been selected taking into account the longest remaining life and equipment suite," he said.
Russia and India signed a contract on upgrading five Il-38 ASW aircraft in service with the Indian Navy in 2001. According to experts, the cost of the contract amounted to $205 million.
Livanov noted that two Il-38s had collided in mid-air and crashed in the course of the modernization of the five Indian Il-38s, thus the Indian side proposed that the Russian Navy transfer two of its Il-38s.
The upgraded Il-38SD ASW aircraft is fitted with the Sea Snake sight system, which comprises avionics, an infrared sight, and high-resolution radars. The system is capable of detecting air targets at a range of up to 90 km, and surface targets at a range of up to 320 km. At the same time it can simultaneously track 32 targets.