Nicks Found In Turbine Blades

The Indian Air Force Saturday grounded an entire squadron of Russian-built Sukhoi fighters after mechanics found nicks in some of their turbine blades. Now, India is threatening to cancel its entire Su-30 program unless Russia extends warranties on the aircraft.

The Hindu Daily reports Indian government officials have demanded that the blades be replaced at no charge. Good luck with that. The cash-strapped Russian manufacturer says the warranty has expired and the blades won't come free. Now, India warns it might cancel its purchase of more fighters and spare parts.

The Indian Air Force has 28 Sukhois on the flight line. Many of them have been modified to carry nuclear weapons. Military officials say the blade problems emerged after the quarter-century old fighters accumulated approximately 700 flight hours each.

Russia is still India's biggest supplier of warplanes. In fact, purchases from Russia account for more than 70-percent of India's military overall military inventory.

FMI: http://armedforces.nic.in/airforce/welcome.html