Russia to deliver 12 Su-30 jet fighters to Malaysia this year

Moscow, Feb 13 (UNI) Russia will deliver 12 Su-MKM fighter jets to Malaysia this year, a spokesman for the Sukhoi aircraft manufacturer said today.

Malaysia will receive a total of 18 Su-30MKM fighters under a 900 million dollars contract signed in 2003. The first six fighters were delivered in 2007.

The fighters are being manufactured at Sukhoi's Irkutsk aircraft manufacturing plant in Siberia.

The Su-30MKM is a multi-role Flanker version based on the Su-30MKI model and features a customized avionics package built to Malaysian specifications.

Malaysia currently operates a mixed fighter fleet with the Russian MiG-29N Fulcrum and the US-made F/A-18D Hornet and F-5 Tiger in service.

The Malaysian Royal Air Force is considering a new Su-30MKM contract, RIA Novosti news agency reported.

UNI XC AKJ KN1842