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World Defense & Security News - Angola
 
 
 
Angola to take delivery of up to four upgraded Su-30K multirole fighters in late 2015
 
Angola will take delivery of up to four overhauled and upgraded Su-30K multi-role fighters in late 2015 under a contract with Russia, the Russian news agency TASS reports with reference to a representative of the 558th aircraft repair plant (Belarus); the enterprise is responsible for overhaul and upgrade of the aircraft.
     
Former Indian Air Force's Su-30K multirole fighter aircraft
     
The contract between Russia and Angola for delivery of 12 upgraded Su-30K jets was signed in late 2013. “Up to four overhauled and upgraded jets of the type will be delivered to the customer this year. The contract will be implemented in late 2016 or early 2017,” the source noted.

This refers to fighters delivered to India under a contract signed in 1996. Russia took back 18 early model aircraft (ten Su-30MK and eight Su-30K fighters delivered between May 1997 and December 1999) in the network of “trade-in” mechanism and offered the jets to a number of African countries. Angola purchased 12 jets of the type and Rosoboronexport is looking for a customer for the rest six ones. Belarusian plant was chosen as the main contractor, because in Soviet era the enterprise was responsible for repair and overhaul of Su-27 fighters (Su-30 was derived from Su-27), the source explained.

The Angolan Air Force currently flies around half a dozen Su-27s, out of 18 originally delivered. It also has other Sukhoi aircraft in its inventory, notably the Su-22 and Su-24.