Re: New interceptors for the Argentine Air Force?
If you are talking about their vast fleet of Su-7/17s, and other old aircraft, that's correct. They are leaved there just to become rust... But the Fulcrum and Flanker didn't suffer this kind of treatment (at least not their entire inventory), and specifically the Su-30 stored in the KnAAPo factory, they are in perfect condition.
All depends of the FAA requirement. By example, the Hungarian MiG-29 fleet is for sale at a very low cost. This aircraft are quite well preserved, and requires only an SLEP (which is no so costly as you say) and an upgrade to be ready and capable again. The Moldavian units by example, are stored in conditions similar to that described by you, but the Moldavian MoD website indicates than this aircraft is carefully stored and preserved. They still awaits for a buyer:
Here in Perú we have a long historial of operations with russian fighters (more than 30 years and two wars), and all than can I say is they are true frontliners, made to operate in conditions than would destroy a western fighter in a couple of days. The perfect fighter for a nation like us.
Greetings from Perú.
1. I'm talking about newer birds. Aircraft like MiG-31's, An-124's, and MiG-29's. All left out in the open essentially to rot.
2. Aircraft placed into long term storage need extensive preparation required to place them into storage.
First off, the location matters. Aircraft placed into long term storage need to be placed in dry, arid, climates that will reduce the chance of corrosion. In order to get an aircraft that has been stored for quite some time airworthy a lot of panels are going to have to come off so the insides can be inspected. Not so much of a problem for a museum piece stored inside in a controlled environment. You can imagine the climate of the Russian steppes or Siberia is not conducive to proper storage.
Beyond corrosion worries, instruments are usually sealed and keep working although they all need to be checked and calibrated. Electrics usually keep working as are the electronics again everything needs to be checked though. Avionics and other very sensitive systems should be removed from the aircraft and placed in climate controlled storage if the storage time will exceed a year.
Engines need to be either run at specified calendar intervals, or be preserved, by having all fluids drained, and a protective heavy oil sprayed around the inside of the engine.
Also, all access points to aircraft being stored need to be taped over and sealed. Windows and tyres also need to be covered protect from UV rays. Not to mention that every now and then, you need to move the aircraft around.
Another major worry is with the hydraulics system; if it is not drained the fluid will become some kind of a soapy substance contaminating the whole system, necessitating total replacement of everything. If the system has been drained all seal's are toast and everything is stuck, requiring replacement of all of the seals, as when you re-fill the system leaks faster then can be filled.
Not to mention that the fuel system is another worry; if you drained every tank and purged them, eventually all of the tanks will be leaking and the fuel probes are toast. If not drained there is a good chance of fungus in the tanks, requiring the fuel system to be purged.
And when aircraft comes out of storage, they require extensive checks to bring them back into service. Depending on how long it was stored, it could be a simple system check to a total tear down and rebuild. The longer it was stored, the more expensive the check will be; often after a few years, the aircraft is actually worth more in scrap and spare parts than as an actual flying aircraft.
So yeah, placing aircraft into storage is a whole can of worms.
Also, FYI, the ex-Moldovian MiG-29's that were purchased by the US were in very poor condition when they arrived in the US. They'd basically been 'left out to rot' with no maintenance of preservation due to their government's financial status and priorities. Why do you think the bulk of them were scrapped shortly after arrival, while the few remaining are gate guards and museum pieces?
