By Prensa Latina,
New Delhi : Russia and India will sign a contract to develop and test fifth generation fighter jets in 2009 under terms arranged in October 2007.
Mikhail Pogosyan, general director of Sukhoi company, told Indo-Asia News Services (IANS) that the joint venture involves Russia´s Sukhoi United Aviation Corp. and India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL).
IANS says the two models in production are a two-seater with cabin for India’s Air Force, and a single-seater for Russia, India’s top arms supplier, along Israel and France, while the US tries to enter the market.
In his November visit to New Delhi, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed a contract to purchase 80 MI-17V-5 choppers for logistic operations that will join 200 MI-17s.
Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov and Indian Pier A.K. Antony helped cement bilateral strategic ties in November by extending military collaboration another ten years when the current contract expire in 2010.
Antony then called Russia trust-worthy partner, adding that Russia will supply 347 T-90 tanks and produce 1,000 more in India via a joint project of technology transfer.