India, Russia close to fifth generation fighter jet deal

While most Western countries have already stated work on the futuristic aircraft, Russia was keen on taking the Indians as a partner following their successful development of the Sukhoi-30 MKI, which was inducted into the IAF in September.

Sources said that Fernandes is keen on ensuring that Indian expertise is tapped by the Russians as they draw up plans for developing the fighter.

The six-member delegation led by Klebanov which met the Defence Minister also included Mikhail Pogosyan, Director General of the Moscow-based Sukhoi Design Bureau.

The meeting also discussed progress on the Gorshkov, which is being dealt by the Navy’s price negotiation committee. While the Russians are offering the 40,000-tonne displacement Kiev class carrier free, they are negotiating the costs of refitting the ship with MiG-29K aircraft.

Costs, say sources, are anywhere between 500 to 700 million dollars but a final figure will only emerge when all issues are resolved. The MiG-29K, which is the naval version of the air defence aircraft, was developed a few years ago.

The two sides also held discussions on the Brahmos supersonic cruise missile being jointly developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation and their Russian counterparts.

The missile is slated to be fitted onto the Su-30 MKI when operational against maritime targets. They also discussed the acquisition of the Smerch long-distance rocket delivery system.