India begins final talks with Russia over fighter jets and Super Sukhois
Advertisement
Advertisement
India has finally decided to take forward its negotiations with Russia about the mega projects that were stalled in the past.As per TNN sources, the talks about jointly developing a futuristic fifth-generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) and upgrading the existing Sukhoi- 30MKI jets into 'Super Sukhois' with advanced avionics and weapons have begun amidst India and Russia.
However, India and France are also close to inking a deal worth 7.8 billion euro deal for 36 Rafale jets, but the defence ministry has acknowledged that these 36 fighters will not be enough for India’s air combat power which is on a down track.
Also read: Defence Manufacturing: Is India Inc. ready?
As of now, the
Advertisement
The defence ministry is also considering a "multi-pronged strategy" so that it can up its airpower. This includes introducing the home-made light combat aircraft, called Tejas, and look out for a second line of producing fighter jets in the country, including the American F/A-18, F-16, and Swedish Gripen-E.
Talking of these 5th-generation fighters, the final R&D design contract is almost ready to be inked, for the Indian "perspective multi-role fighter", which is a variant of Sukhoi T-50 or PAK-FA, the Russian single-seat FGFA.
"Apart from resolving technical and cost issues, Russia has also agreed to allow IAF test pilots to fly its prototypes now," a source told TNN.
Also read: Defence minister is considering purchases worth Rs 1 lakh crore
The first contract was signed in 2007, which was then followed up in 2010 with a $295 million preliminary design contract.
Advertisement
The contract involves producing 127 such fighters in India would cost about $25 billion.
"The technical requirements should be finalised this year, with the contract being inked next year," said the source.
Image source
Advertisement
- I spent $2,000 for 7 nights in a 179-square-foot room on one of the world's largest cruise ships. Take a look inside my cabin.
- Saudi Arabia wants China to help fund its struggling $500 billion Neom megaproject. Investors may not be too excited.
- Colon cancer rates are rising in young people. If you have two symptoms you should get a colonoscopy, a GI oncologist says.
- 2024 LS polls pegged as costliest ever, expenditure may touch ₹1.35 lakh crore: Expert
- 10 Best things to do in India for tourists
- 19,000 school job losers likely to be eligible recruits: Bengal SSC
- Groww receives SEBI approval to launch Nifty non-cyclical consumer index fund
- Retired director of MNC loses ₹25 crore to cyber fraudsters who posed as cops, CBI officers