Sunday, 29 November 2020

How long can I fall? The Indian Navy dropped 4 MiG 29Ks in more than a year and only introduced 45!

Indian NAVY


还能摔多久？印海军一年多摔掉4架米格29K,仅引进45架！_俄海军

Translated by google

2020-11-29 

The Indian Navy MiG 29K does not want a fraction?

In 2004, the Russian Navy carried out a "zero-dollar aircraft carrier purchase" activity. The Indian Navy considered it a "conscientious activity" and actively participated. Since there were no competitors, this zero-dollar aircraft carrier was eventually taken by the Indian Navy. However, the aircraft carrier is just an empty shell, and a series of supporting facilities are required to exert combat effectiveness. Therefore, in the following time, the Indian Navy paid 3 billion yuan for this "zero yuan" unit price of the USS Vikramatia aircraft carrier. US dollars, including the introduction of 45 MiG-29K carrier-based aircraft.

Compared with the early MiG 29, the performance of MiG 29K is much improved

For a medium-sized aircraft carrier, 45 carrier-based aircraft is a very strange number. The number of fully-loaded carrier-based aircraft on the USS Vikramatia of the Indian Navy is 24, and the remaining 21 MiG29K can only Deployed in land-based airport training and used as a rotation aircraft. Equipping an aircraft carrier that can only carry 24 carrier-based aircraft with 45 carrier-based aircraft is a "big deal"! However, India's move is not all to enhance the combat effectiveness of this aircraft carrier, perhaps there is also a factor, that is, worry about not falling enough!

The MiG 29K has a maximum takeoff weight of up to 24 tons

The Indian Navy does not seem to like odds. In November last year, a MiG 29K crashed during training and another crashed in February this year. The Indian Navy said that the two crashes were caused by bird collisions. Three months later, another MiG 29K crashed, but it was not over yet. On November 26, the Indian Navy crashed another MiG 29K. It has already crashed 4 in more than a year. If you add the 2011 number For a crashed MiG 29K, the Indian Navy has wiped out all the fragments of the 45 MiG 29K fleet, which is another "big deal"!

A MiG 29K out of the runway

The MiG 29K is the worst carrier-based aircraft in service

The MiG29K is not an excellent carrier-based aircraft today. The Russian Navy replaced the Su 33 with the MiG 29K. It is not how good the performance of the MiG 29K is, but the dozens of Su 33s equipped with it are old and do not have a production line to supplement the new models. At this time, they got Vikrama. The Indian Navy of the Tiya aircraft carrier took a fancy to the MiG 29K. The Russian Navy took this opportunity to use the funds provided by the Indian Navy to launch this new version of the MiG 29K. This carrier-based aircraft is the main force for the Indian Navy, but For the Russian Navy, it is a transitional model for a period of time.

The MiG 29K is the most mediocre in the world's active carrier aircraft

At present, the world’s carrier-based aircraft include Rafale M, F/A-18, F35C, F-15, MiG 29K, and the few remaining Su 33s of the Russian Navy. Among these carrier-based aircraft, F35C is a fourth-generation stealth aircraft. , Rafale M and F/A-18 due to the use of the catapult system, the bomb load and the maximum take-off weight on the aircraft carrier exceed the MiG-29K, only the F-15 and MiG29K use the skid-leap takeoff method. The F-15 is a heavy aircraft. Although the upgraded MiG 29K has a maximum take-off weight of 24 tons, it is still a bit worse than the F-15, and its ammunition capacity is less than the F-15. In addition, the F-15’s weapon avionics The system is much higher than the MiG 29K, so in the current carrier aircraft, the MiG 29K is considered the worst one.

The ammunition capacity and combat radius of the F-15 far exceed the MiG 29K

Indian Navy MiG 29K is difficult to achieve supplement

For the Russian Navy, the MiG 29K was exchanged for 3 billion U.S. dollars for an aircraft carrier that was not sent or scrap iron. A large part of this fund was used to upgrade and produce MiG 29K for the Indian Navy and its own equipment. , Simply put, it means that you have bought dozens of carrier-based aircraft for yourself with a scrap iron aircraft carrier. If there was no such thing as the introduction of the MiG 29K by the Indian Navy, the Russian navy would not have the idea of ​​the MiG 29K even if the Su 33 was used for repairs. After all, considering the status of the Kuznetsov aircraft carrier, it is not worth it alone. Spend a lot of money to open the MiG 29K production line.

The Indian Navy intends to equip domestic aircraft carriers with carrier-based brilliance

The Indian Navy introduced 45 MiG29Ks. Although the number of crashes was a bit high, there was no need to replenish them in a short period of time. After all, the Vikramatia carried 24 at most. The MiG 29K is the same for the Russian Navy. In the case of difficulty in obtaining other export space, the production line of the MiG 29K will not last long. This led to waiting for the Indian Navy’s MiG 29K fleet to fall insufficiently to fill the deck of the Vikramatia. If you want to supplement the new aircraft, you will either use your own worse LCA carrier type or spend a lot of money. Restart the production line of MiG 29K.



MiG-29K: Details 
Shenyang J-15: Details
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Kazakhstan received a new batch of Su-30SM fighters, and users from many countries are very satisfied, except for Armenia

Axel J.


哈方接收新一批苏-30SM战机，多国用户均非常满意，除了亚美尼亚_采购

Translated by google

2020-11-25 


According to foreign media reports, the Kazakhstan Air Force has recently received four new Su-30SM fighters, which will be deployed to Karakada Air Base in Kazakhstan, which is also the so-called 610th Air Force Base. This is also the country's second unit equipped with Su-30SM fighters. According to statistics, the Kazakhstan Air Force has previously introduced 16 Su-30SM multi-role fighters from Russia in three batches. Among them, the first batch of procurement contracts was signed in 2014. The contract value is about 5 billion rubles, including 4 Su-30SM fighters. These fighters were officially equipped with the Kazakhstan Air Force on April 17, 2015 and deployed in Tardikurgan. The 604th Air Force Base. At the end of 2015, Kazakhstan and Russia signed a contract of 10 billion rubles. The contract includes 8 Su-30SM fighters. These fighters arrived in two batches in December 2016 and December 2017. 604 Air Force Base.


Another four new Su-30SM fighters arrived at the 604th Air Force Base in December 2018. In August 2017, Kazakhstan and Russia signed an agreement for the third batch of 12 Su-30SM fighters. The first four of this batch of fighters arrived at the 604th Air Base in Tardikurgan in December 2019. So far, the 604th Air Force Base has completed the deployment of 16 Su-30SM fighters. The above fighters belong to 3 purchase contracts. The four Su-30SM fighters equipped with the 610th Air Force Base in Karakada, Kazakhstan, are part of the third batch of contracts. According to public information, the Ministry of National Defense of Kazakhstan plans to purchase a total of 36 Su-30SM fighters. Equipping these fighters will greatly enhance the strength of the Kazakhstan Air Force.


For military fans, everyone should be familiar with the Su-30SM fighter. This is the latest improved model of the Su-30 fighter. The Su-30 fighter was developed from the Su-27UB two-seater fighter, and its design features are similar to the F-15E fighter-bomber of the US Air Force. At the end of the 1990s, Su-30 fighters were divided into two families, one is Su-30MKK multi-role fighter, the other is Su-30MKI multi-role fighter, the former is heavily equipped with our air force and naval aviation, and many third world countries also have Procurement; The latter is mainly equipped with the Indian Air Force and the Royal Malaysian Air Force. The Indian Air Force has purchased a total of 270 Su-30MKI fighters in the past 20 years, which is also the largest single-model production in the Su-30 fighter family. The Su-30SM fighter can be understood as an upgraded version of the Su-30MKI fighter. The Russian Air Force has been equipped with Su-30SM fighters since 2012. According to statistics, the current number should exceed 110.


The Russian naval aviation is also equipped with Su-30SM fighters. The current number is about 22. The next batch of fighters is planned to be the more advanced Su-30SM2 fighters. A total of more than 50 Su-30SM and Su-30SM2 fighters are planned to be purchased. According to the number of fighters , It can be seen that the Russian naval air force plans to form two related flying regiments. In the past 10 years, the Su-30SM fighter, the Su-35S and the Su-34 fighter, are the three heavy fighters that the Russian army prefers to purchase. This batch of fighters is also the most advanced military aircraft currently mass-produced by the Russian military industry. The three fighters have their own strengths. The Su-34 fighter is good at long-range ground attacks, the Su-35S fighter is good at air combat, and the Su-30SM fighter has a balanced performance. It is precisely because of the excellent performance of the Su-30SM fighter that it has been purchased by air forces from many countries at home and abroad.


Regarding the number of Su-30SM fighters purchased, let's make a simple statistics: Belarus plans to purchase a total of 12 Su-30SM fighters. The current actual number of equipment is 4; the Mongolian Air Force plans to equip 4, and the current actual number of equipment is 1-2. This is the first time that the country has been equipped with a new type of fighter in 30 years; the Myanmar Air Force has ordered 12 Su-30SM fighters, including Six of them are Su-30SM2, which is also the most advanced fighter jet of the Myanmar Air Force; the Bangladesh Air Force has also confirmed the purchase of eight Su-30SM fighters, and there are also four purchase intentions. This is also the most advanced fighter jet in the country.

In summary, the above countries have greatly enhanced their air power by purchasing Su-30SM fighters. In particular, the Russian Aerospace Forces have begun to recover blood quickly by equipping more than 110 Su-30SM fighters. This very offensive weapon is very critical to the Russian military. In actual deployment, the Su-30SM fighter performed very well. The above six state-owned companies have been equipped, and some of them will begin to receive Su-30SM fighters in recent years. In addition to Russia, for several other countries, the current Su-30SM fighters are the most advanced fighters that several countries can currently purchase. From the public media reports, everyone is very satisfied. However, there is one exception.


This is the Armenian Air Force. The Armenian Air Force purchased a total of 12 Su-30SM fighters in the past few years, and the actual number of aircraft is currently 4. Due to financial budget issues, although the Armenian Air Force is equipped with Su-30SM fighters, the airborne weapons have not been deployed in actual combat. In addition, due to the shortage of fighter spare parts, 4 Su-30SM fighters were almost in the bilateral war between Armenia and Azerbaijan. It is grounded. It can be said that it did not play a decent role. It can be seen from this that a good multi-role fighter, if the strength of the country used is not sufficient, and the various hardware and software cannot keep up, then these advanced fighters are just a pile of waste in wartime. Recently, it has been frequently exposed on the Internet that the Armenian Air Force regrets purchasing the Su-30SM fighter. For the parties concerned, this kind of suffering is only clear to them... Some media said that Armenia regrets not purchasing our drones. In fact, for this As far as small countries are concerned, even if they purchase, if the funds cannot keep up, there will be problems in the later use of drones. Armenia is a typical example of the failure of active fighters to function due to its own problems. What do you think about this? Welcome to leave comments.

The pictures without my watermark in this article are transferred from the Internet. If there is any infringement, please contact to delete.


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Korean Air to provide service life extension work for USAF F-16 jets

Matt Jones.


Korean Air to provide service life extension work for USAF F-16 jets

27 November 2020 (Last Updated November 27th, 2020 16:08)

The US Department of Defense has awarded a KRW290bn ($261.9m) contract to Korean Air for service life extension and depot level maintenance of F-16 fighter jets.

Korean Air will deliver service life extension and depot level maintenance for US Forces in Korea and Japan’s F-16 fighter jets. Credit: Korean Air.


The US Department of Defense has awarded a KRW290bn ($261.9m) contract to Korean Air for service life extension and depot level maintenance of F-16 fighter jets.

Work will be performed on jets that are deployed to the US Forces in Korea and Japan for a ten-year period commencing this month.

The programme will involve the highest level of aircraft maintenance, which includes reliability verification of the main parts of the fuselage and wings of the F-16 fighter jets.

It also includes disassembly, inspection and corrosion prevention processes to boost the lifespan of the aircraft and main structures replacement.

This is expected to allow the aircraft to operate for an additional 4,000 hours.

The USAF F-16 Fighting Falcon is a fighter jet that is equipped with a turbofan engine and close-range air combat capabilities.

Since 1978, the company has delivered depot maintenance for the US military and conducted depot maintenance and performance improvement for aircraft, fighter jets and helicopters.

In a statement, Korean Air said: “Korean Air’s new contract will further enhance the reputation and credibility of the airline’s aircraft production and maintenance capabilities.

“Moreover, the contract will help Korean Air to expand its business in military aircraft modification and other maintenance projects.”

Earlier this month, the USAF deployed the F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 480th Fighter Squadron, 52nd Fighter Wing, Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany to the Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE.


F-16C/D: Details
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Saab orders Active Noise Reduction system for Gripen E/F

Saab


Saab orders Active Noise Reduction system for Gripen E/F

25 November 2020 (Last Updated November 25th, 2020 15:44)

Saab has placed an order with Finnish defence and security company Insta for an Active Noise Reduction (ANR) system.

The ANR system will be integrated with the helmet system of the Gripen E/F. Credit: Saab.


Saab has placed an order with Finnish defence and security company Insta for an Active Noise Reduction (ANR) system.

The system will be installed as part of the pilot equipment for the Gripen E/F fighter jet for existing and future customers.

Since 2018, the companies have partnered for the ANR noise system.

Saab Aeronautics Business Area director Jonas Hjelm said: “Saab has long cooperated with Finnish companies.

“Our latest order from Insta ensures that future Gripen pilots have the most advanced noise-cancelling system in the market.

“In addition, it will bring more Finnish know-how to our Gripen E/F fighter system.”

In military aviation, noise is a common problem and unsafe exposure levels have the potential to affect the performance of pilots.

The hearing protection that is traditionally used does not perform optimally in the low-frequency military aviation noise environment.

Insta ANR system provides up to 30db of low-frequency attenuation. The system has the ability to attenuate frequencies down to 30Hz.

Additionally, the dampening capability can be adjusted based on the situation and personal preferences.

The system will be integrated with the helmet system.

Insta Aviation Products Business head Ille Somppi added: “This is an important agreement for Insta and yet another demonstration of the quality of our aviation products.

“This agreement and our expanding partnership with Saab open up interesting market opportunities, as Insta is now part of Saab’s subcontracting company.”

#####




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USAF’s C-130J uses ABFDS for hot-pit refuel of F-22 Raptors

Steve Cooke


USAF’s C-130J uses ABFDS for hot-pit refuel of F-22 Raptors

26 November 2020 (Last Updated November 26th, 2020 12:20)

The US Air Force (USAF) has announced that a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft has used an Aerial Bulk Fuel Delivery System (ABFDS) during a refuelling mission.

An F-22 Raptor assigned to the 94th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron completes a hot refuel from a fuel bladder carried by a C-130J Hercules. Credit: Photo by Senior Airman Michael Murphy.

The US Air Force (USAF) has announced that a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft has used an Aerial Bulk Fuel Delivery System (ABFDS) during a refuelling mission.

The system was used to carry out hot-pit refuelling of two F-22 Raptors at Koror Palau International Airport.

This is a part of the series of operations related to Westpac deployment of the 94th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron to the US Indo-Pacific Command’s area of responsibility.

As per the Air Expeditionary Force Fuels Management Pocket Guide, ABFDS system is designed to allow the aircraft to transport fuel quickly to different locations near or behind enemy lines.

It is normally equipped on the C-130s. However, it can also be used on the C-5 Galaxies and C-17 Globemaster IIIs.

Pacific Air Forces command fuels functional manager chief master sergeant Steve McClure said: “Hot-pit refuelling operations using ABFDS are relatively new.

“The primary design of the ABFDS system is to refuel or to take bulk fuel to bladders in a contingency location.

“It has the capability to refuel aircraft and always has, but we’ve stepped that up with agile combat employment.”

McClure stated that the 374th Airlift Wing came up with a checklist for the use of ABFDS to refuel other aircraft.

This marks the second instance where a C-130 from the 36th Airlift Squadron, 374th Airlift Wing, Yokota Air Base, Japan, carried out hot-pit refuelling of F-22 Raptors with ABFDS.

The first refuelling was carried out in September during joint field training exercise Valiant Shield 20 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.


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UK receives first remanufactured AH-64E Apache helos

Bernie C


UK receives first remanufactured AH-64E Apache helos

by Gareth Jennings

The United Kingdom has received the first of its 50 Leonardo Boeing WAH-64D Apache Longbow AH1 attack helicopters to be remanufactured into the latest Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian standard.

The first two of 50 remanufactured AH-64E Apache helicopters for the British Army were delivered into the UK on 26 November. (Crown Copyright )


The British Army announced that the first two helicopters were delivered to Wattisham Flying Station in Suffolk on 26 November.

“The arrival of the first Apache E model attack helicopter to be delivered to the British Army over the next two years marks the beginning of a significant uplift in capability to enhance the army’s contribution across the spectrum of military operations,” Major General Jez Bennett, Director Capability, was quoted as saying.

Although the precise nature of the remanufacturing process for the UK helicopters has not been disclosed, it is understood to involve a number of the existing systems (not including the engines) being cross-decked from the old Apache Longbow to the new Apache Guardian airframes. A US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notification released in August 2015 named the AN/ASQ-170 Modernized Target Acquisition and Designation Sights (M-TADSs), AN/AAR-11 Modernized Pilot Night Vision Sensors (PNVSs), and the Northrop Grumman AN/APG-78 mast-mounted fire-control radars as the sensors that might be transferred between the WAH-64D and AH-64E platforms. It said also that the WAH-64D’s Rolls-Royce RTM 322 engines would most likely be replaced by the standard US Army General Electric T-700-GE-701D powerplant. This cross-decking allows costs to be saved as many of the more expensive items can be reused.



Ah-64 Apache: Details
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China's new H-20 stealth bomber could hit Pearl Harbor: analysts

sohu.com


China's new H-20 stealth bomber could hit Pearl Harbor: analysts - Asia Times

H-20 could alter the strategic calculus between the US and China by exposing US bases and fleets to surprise air attacks

By DAVE MAKICHUK
NOVEMBER 27, 2020

The H-20 "strategic bomber," which was likely modelled after the Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit, above, was designed to penetrate anti-aircraft defences and drop devastating nuclear payloads. Credit: Handout.


Just when things were not going well for the Pentagon, vis-a-vis China’s rapid military growth, US planners now have to rethink the entire scenario.

There’s a new kid on the block, and “he” is terrifying.

It involves China’s new H-20 stealth bomber, which is believed to have a range of up to 7,500 miles, the UK’s Sun reported.

Analysts believe that would easily bring Hawaii — 6,000 miles away — into reach in chilling echoes of the 1941 attack by the Japanese, making it a “truly intercontinental” threat.

According to the South China Morning Post, which cited a London-based Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies report, the state-of-the-art H-20 can carry a massive weapons payload of 45 tonnes and fly great distances without mid-air refuelling.

The 630 mph war machine is still under development, according to the leading think tank, but the Pentagon fears one day it will be able to target US overseas territories such as Guam, The Sun reported.

“Armed with nuclear and conventional stand-off missiles, the H-20 would represent a major break from previous PLAAF (People’s Liberation Army Air Force) doctrine and equipment development practice,” it reads.

The PLAAF is designed to be a regional force capable of missions on the first island chain – ranging from the Kuril Islands to Japan and onto the Philippines, The Sun reported.

“The H-20, by contrast, would give China a truly intercontinental power-projection capability,” the report said.


Plans for the H-20 were first announced in 2016 and the nuclear bomber may be ready to enter service in five years.

The “strategic bomber,” which was likely modelled after the Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit, was designed to penetrate anti-aircraft defences and drop devastating nuclear payloads.

Reports have said the H-20 will be able to deliver a payload of 45 tonnes, including nukes, and fire hypersonic cruise missiles.

Importantly,  the Hong-20 will also complete the country’s so-called “nuclear triad,” The Sun reported.

This consists of ground-based ballistic missiles, submarine-launched ballistic missiles and the long-range nuclear-capable bombers.

While the H-20 still remains mysterious to a large degree, it may not at all come close to rivaling the Air Force’s new B-21 Sky Raider, National Interest reported. 

Quoting “military sources,” a report from The New Zealand Herald said the new and still somewhat mysterious H-20 bomber was to make its first public appearance at this year’s cancelled Zhuhai Airshow.

The New Zealand report also said the new supersonic stealth bomber could “double” China’s strike range.

If the H-20 does have the range and passable stealth characteristics attributed to it, it could alter the strategic calculus between the United States and China by exposing US bases and fleets across the Pacific to surprise air attacks, National Interest reported.

Strategic bombers make sense for China because Beijing perceives dominance of the western half of the Pacific Ocean as essential for its security due to its history of maritime invasion, and the challenge posed by the United States in particular.

The two superpowers are separated by five to six thousand miles of ocean — and the United States has spent the last century developing a network of island territories such as Guam, foreign military bases in East Asia and super-carriers with which it can project air and sea power across that span, National Interest reported.

Asia Times Financial is now live. Linking accurate news, insightful analysis and local knowledge with the ATF China Bond 50 Index, the world's first benchmark cross sector Chinese Bond Indices. Read ATF now. 


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Russia Test-Fires ‘Tsirkon’ Hypersonic Missile


The latest launch is at least the third test run of the Tsirkon this year.
Defense Ministry


The Russian military has test-launched its vaunted Tsirkon hypersonic cruise missile for at least the third time this year, the Defense Ministry announced Thursday.

Like the previous test launch held on President Vladimir Putin’s birthday on Oct. 7, a Russian Navy frigate fired the Tsirkon that hit its target in the waters of northwestern Russia, the state-run TASS news agency reported.


A 20-second video of the latest launch released by the Defense Ministry showed the Tsirkon’s night-time launch from the Northern Fleet’s Admiral Gorshkov frigate in the White Sea.

Citing the Defense Ministry, TASS reported that the Tsirkon traveled at a speed of more than Mach 8, or around 10,000 kilometers per hour, and struck its intended target 450 kilometers away in the Barents Sea.

The Defense Ministry had disclosed the same flight parameters on Oct. 7 for the Tsirkon’s earlier test. Previously, the Admiral Gorshkov test-fired the Tsirkon in January from the Barents Sea toward a ground target in the northern Urals over 500 kilometers to the east.

The Tsirkon program began in 2011 and entered the active testing stage in 2015.

Putin unveiled the Tsirkon as part of a new generation of advanced weapons in 2018. He has said the Tsirkon ground- and sea-based hypersonic rocket can fly at nine times the speed of sound and hit underwater and ground targets more than 1,000 kilometers away.

Putin has warned that Russia would be forced to deploy hypersonic nuclear missiles on submarines near U.S. waters in response to arms-control tensions. Washington waved off Putin’s warnings as disingenuous propaganda.


The second domestic stealth frigate will be handed over to the fleet
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Saturday, 28 November 2020

EXCLUSIVE: 'Safety first' as Volga-Dnepr grounds its AN-124 fleet indefinitely

AlexBabashov - AviaRevue


EXCLUSIVE: 'Safety first' as Volga-Dnepr grounds its AN-124 fleet indefinitely - The Loadstar: 

© Faustasyan

By Alex Lennane 
25/11/2020

Volga-Dnepr Group has “put safety first” and made what it called the “responsible” decision to ground all its AN-124s, following a recent incident at Novosibirsk, when one made an emergency landing after an engine failure.

The carrier today filed a letter with the Russian aviation authorities to notify them of the decision to ground its eight operational aircraft immediately.

“This is a well-thought through decision. We want to be preactive and pre-emptive and demonstrate that we are a responsible airline where safety comes first,” said Konstantin Vekshin, chief commercial officer.

“We have not received any official notifications or service directives yet, and there are no preliminary conclusions, so we have to suspend the entire AN-124 fleet with immediate effect.

“We strictly adhere to our safety policy, external regulations and public interest.”

Volga-Dnepr is talking to Russian aviation authorities, as well as launching an internal and independent investigation into the recent incident.

Mr Vekshin said: “We want to continue to remain the safest operator in the world; grounding the fleet is in the best interests of society.”

Volga-Dnepr is now talking to customers to re-arrange flights as the aircraft were fully booked.

Mr Vekshin said: “It’s very painful for our customers right now, the market is booming. We want to cooperate and will work with them, but there may be some delays to their shipments.”

He added that the group had made the decision despite a busy market.

“We don’t care how much revenue we will miss – it’s not even relevant right now. Safety is more important than any potential benefits from the peak season.”

Where possible, customers that can load cargo onto a 747 will be accommodated and Mr Vekshin suggested former partner and now rival Antonov Airlines might be able to support others.

However, he added, Antonov should be conducting thorough investigations into its own fleet of AN-124s.

“I think Antonov Airlines needs to follow our example, under the circumstances. Ultimately, it is their call, of course.”

There is no time-definite plan for the aircraft to fly again as Volga-Dnepr insists that “every step must be completed properly”.

Mr Vekshin said: “We need to hear from the Russian aviation authority, and from the manufacturer of the engines which we think is now overdue. We need to see the directives and the results of the investigation. We hope that process will start any day now.

“Once the directives are implemented, we can proceed, but it will take a significant time. We know what part failed, but there needs to be a very thorough investigation with special experts.

“Hopefully this will be a question of weeks, but it has to be as perfect as possible – so guesswork on timing is not good enough.”

Volga-Dnepr has some 60 AN-124 engines, all of which will need to be inspected in depth. They are manufactured and maintained by Ukraine’s Motor Sich, raising questions of whether any delays might be politically motivated.

But Mr Vekshin said: “We are not concerned, politically. Public safety and airworthiness goes beyond politics. We need to work together to tackle this – the market needs it. The AN-124 offers a very important service.”

The Novosibirsk incident on 13 November saw the aircraft, carrying 14 people and about 84 tons of cargo to Vienna, suffer engine failure at about 1,000 feet after take-off. Debris damaged cabling and took out the electrical supply, resulting in loss of communication, all electrical systems, instruments, brakes and thrust reversers, making the runway over-run unavoidable, according to the Aviation Herald.

It reported: “Numerous holes punched through the fuselage damaged the structural integrity, the structural integrity of the landing gear was compromised, numerous holes were punched into elements of the wings as well as the engine pylon.” One engine was unable to be turned off for three hours following the emergency landing.

Observers said the pilots had completed an extraordinary landing in highly dangerous conditions.

“They are heroes, and the pilot in command was exceptional,” said Mr Vekshin.  “They deserve all possible commendations for being truly professional. They will become part of aviation history, as it will be in text books on how to pilot a plane. It was unprecedented.”

Volga-Dnepr believes the AN-24 fleet has another 20-25 years of service, but the carrier has invested heavily in a modernisation programme for the aircraft. It is also the only company in the world with an AN-124 simulator.

“It’s a beautiful airplane and the international world of logistics needs it,” Mr Vekshin said. “We are trying to preserve it for the future. It is irreplaceable – and there are only 20 in the world.”


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