LIPETSK. Dec 26 (Interfax-AVN) - The Flanker upgrade into the SU-27SM version will be completed in 2005, Lieutenant General Alexander Zelin, Deputy Commander of the Russian Air Force, told Interfax-Military News Agency Friday.
"The SU-27 upgrade into SU-27SM must be completed in 2004- 2005," he said.
He did not disclose the number of aircraft to be upgraded but said that the budget provided the required money.
According to Zelin, the plan for the upgrade is as follows: KnAAPO and MMPP Salyut receive supernumerary aircraft to upgrade part of them and return them to the Air Force.
He said that the cost of the upgrade is lower than the cost of a new aircraft. He added that the aircraft to be upgraded have already been tailored among the strategic areas: Northwest, West, Southwest, and East. The General Staff will be responsible for their distribution.
According to Zelin, the tailoring priority will be the Russian Far East, since China has similar Russian fighters.