SINGAPORE. Feb 27 (Interfax-AVN) - The Russian SU-30M fighter is one of the possible winners of a tender for the purchase of a batch of military planes announced in Singapore.
"Our participation in the Singapore tender is at the initial stage," Alexander Klementyev, deputy general director of the Sukhoi aviation holding company, told Interfax-Military News Agency.
A conference of potential participants in the tender was held in January, and Sukhoi put up the SU-30MK plane for it together with the Rosoboronexport state-owned arms trader. The Singaporean party is studying the submitted proposals and planning to draft the so-called short list by the end of the year. "Those who will make it on the short list will start working out the contract," Klementyev said.
Five leading aircraft producers of the world, including Boeing and Eurofighter, are taking part in the Singapore tender to purchase 20 fighter planes.
The SU-30MK is a multifunctional fighter of Generation 4+. It is intended for destruction of aerial, ground and surface targets. Besides, it can be used as an airborne command post.
The SU-30Mk is fitted with a cutting-edge radar making it possible to use an entire spectrum of aircraft armament from suspension points. This includes air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles with the range of up to 120km. The on-board radar guarantees tracking of up to 15 targets. Front horizontal surfaces are installed in the plane to enhance its carrier properties and improve maneuverability.
The aircraft is powered by two AL-31FN two by-pass engines with thrust vector control. It has an aerial refueling system, which enables the aircraft to stay in the air for up to 10 hours. The SU-30MK has the maximum take-off weight of 33,500kg, maximum flight speed of 2M, practical ceiling of 17.5km, flight range 3,000km, flight range with one in-flight refueling 5,200km and maximum overload 8.5g.
Now, SU-30M series planes are included in Brazilian, South Korean and Malaysian tenders, Klementyev said.