India, Russia to produce advanced fighter aircraft

The FGFA and mutltirole transport aircraft were going to be two flagship Indo-Russian military projects in the next 10 years, Defence Minister A K Antony said here on Thursday after the 10th meeting of India-Russian inter-governmental commission on military technical cooperation with his Russian counterpart Anatoly Serdyukov.

The FGFA agreement, which was in pipeline for quite some time, may be signed during the visit of Russian president Dmitry Medvedev in December. Antony said the draft was going through the final stages of approval within the government.

Once the Cabinet Committee on Security approve the FGFA deal, the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Sukhoi will ink a agreement. “India will receive between 250 and 300 of these fighters. Both MTA and FGFA will be shining example of India-Russia defece cooperation,” Antony said.

On Monday, IAF chief P V Naik said swing-role FGFA would have advanced avionics, 360 degrees situational awareness, stealth features, enhanced lethalities, many more onboard sensors, data links, smart weapons and super cruise facilities.

Modelled on Sukhoi’s PAK-FA (T-50), the 30-tonne class fighter will be delivered from 2017 onwards. It will remain as one of the mainstays of IAF in the coming years.
DH News Service