Now, advanced maintenance of Su-30 at Indian Air Force's Ozar depot

NASHIK: The Base Repair Depot (BRD) of the Indian Air Force (IAF) located at Ozar has started the process of setting up things in place for intense-level maintenance of the Sukhoi-30 fighter crafts that are currently being overhauled in the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) factory here.
According to a senior officer, HAL's Ozar factory handles the maintenance of the Russian fixed-winged planes and as such, the Sukhoi 30s are brought here for their overhaul wherein every single part of the plane is dismantled, repaired, replaced and then reassembled.
"HAL handles the overhauling of Su-30 and since there is higher inventory as part of routine maintenance, we have now decided to set up third and fourth line maintenance of the fighter aircraft, which means that intense overhauling will now be carried at the BRD," a senior officer from the 11 BRD at Ozar said.
The aircraft are brought for overhauling at the most twice in their lifetime after a certain period of flying hours are complete. Thereafter, every part of the plane is broken down to the last point, checked for its dimensions and quality and if required, replaced. It is then assembled again and after confirmatory testing, the aircraft is back in the skies.
With a major part of overhauling of Su-30 being handled by HAL, the BRD had first and second line maintenance, which means regular check-ups and services just as a normal vehicle has to undergo to ensure it remains fit. "The 11 BRD is a one-of-a-kind maintenance depot where the MiGs are being overhauled and even being upgraded. The IOS certified depot also works in coordination with the Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC), all of which add to its capabilities," the officer said, adding that the decision to install the maintenance set-up is actually crediting the quality and quantity of works carried out at the Air Force station. It is expected that first Su-30 will be taken in for maintenance in the period of at least one-and-half years from now.
The officer further pointed out that upgradation of MiG 29s, which have been given better fire power and also added the air-to-air refuelling system. "We are proud to announce that with CEMILAC help, our engineers have started upgrading the MiG 29s. These MiG 29Ug aircraft now get touch screen panels in cockpit, converted into bomber than just being an interceptor and add to it the additional air-to-ground missile delivery system, along with enhanced flying capacity because of increased fuel carrying capacity," the officer said.