Indian chief test pilot Ajay Menon, who flies the twin-engine Sukhoi Su-30 MKI fighter jets, admitted that he is a big fan of Russian aircraft.
Sukhoi Su-30MKI is a two-seater, multi-role air superiority fighter developed by Russian aircraft maker Sukhoi and built by HAL. Based on the Sukhoi Su-30 fighter aircraft, Su-30 MKI is equipped with thrust vectoring control and canards, and is considered to be a cornerstone of the Indian Air Force (IAF) combat fleet. HAL has played a pivotal role in its license production and integration of indigenous systems.
Speaking to Russian news agency TASS on the sidelines of the ongoing military aviation exhibition Aero India in Bengaluru, he said all Russian planes are reliable and fulfil their purposes.
According to him, there has not been any complaints regarding the Russian planes from the Indian side.
"I have started learning fighter flying in the Russian MiG-21s. So, I am a big fan of Russian aircraft. In fact, all [Russian] planes are good," he was quoted as saying.
"It is only when it performs what it is supposed to do that you really like the aircraft, he said, adding “So, no complaints."
