MOSCOW. Oct 14 (Interfax-AVN) - The Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant has started manufacturing a trial batch of modernized Sukhoi Su-25UBM two-seat trainer aircraft, Shturmoviki Sukhogo (Sukhoi Fighters) General Director Vladimir Babak told Interfax-AVN.
"The Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant is technologically and technically ready to produce a trial batch of Su-25UBM fighters. The first fighter from the trial batch is being assembled," the director said.
The Russian Defense Ministry has not only decided to order the trial batch but is also prepared to make serial purchases of Su-25UBMs, he said.
The serial production of Su-25UBM aircraft stopped in the early 1990s.
In 2010 the Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant will for the first time after a long break have to produce several upgraded Su-25UBM attack aircraft, Babak said.
"Currently, the draft of the new governmental rearmament program for a period until 2020 is at the stage of approval, the basic volumes will be determined closer to the end of this year," he said.
"The set output targets for Su-25UBM two-seat modernized fighters will ensure workload for the Ulan-Ude plant until 2020," Babak said.
Su-25UB is a two-seat modification of the Su-25 attack aircraft. The Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant began serial production of these aircraft in 1984. Thanks to its navigation, pilotage, sight and weapon control systems the aircraft can be operated at night under any weather conditions, for training and combat purposes. The armaments carried by the aircraft have been totally unified with that of the Su-25 fighter.
The aircraft's maximum takeoff weight is 17.9 tonnes. Combat load weight: 4.4 tonnes. Maximum speed: 950 kilometers/hour. Ferry range: 1,800 kilometers.
The modernized Su-25UBM fighter has also been fitted with new avionics.