Fighter deal signed

Russia and India will jointly modify a fifth-generation Russian fighter aircraft for Indian use under a deal signed yesterday, Russia's federal service for military and technical cooperation said.

India is one of the biggest buyers of Russian weapons and wants to license the production of Su-30MKI fighter jets and T-90 tanks.

State-run Sukhoi corporation will develop the fifth-generation fighter for Russia, and under the accord signed after two days of talks, it will then be jointly modified for India.

(China Daily 10/19/2007 page12)