MRF Ltd. began commercial production and supply of main wheel tires of the Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter aircraft to the Indian Air Force.
“This is a critical breakthrough in the indigenization of the Su-30, the mainstay of the IAF,” said Air Vice Marshall JK Singh, addressing an event to mark the start of commercial production of the tires under the MRF Aero Muscle brand. “Establishing a reliable domestic supplier for the critical component is important. The IAF faces significant delays and hassles when it is dependent on foreign suppliers.”
MRF will be able to supply these tires at about ₹ 56,000 apiece compared with more than ₹ 111,000 it costs to import.
K.M. Mammen, chairman and managing director at MRF Ltd., said the company has been associated with the armed forces for several years as a supplier of tires for Chetak helicopters.
