India and Russia are supposed to sign a contract to jointly develop and produce a fifth-generation combat jet. The manufacturing operation of the fifth-generation Russian-Indian combat aircraft will be handled by Sukhoi which is part of Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) and India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. Talking to media, Russia's air force chief Colonel General Alexander Zelin revealed that at present, the detailed work design of the documentation for the fifth-generation aircraft is being prepared. 

 

He also added that the manufacturer has also received the documentation and started the construction of the prototype. The new fifth generation aircraft will be developed at the Komsomolesk-on-Amur aircraft-manufacturing plant in Russia's far east. The advanced multirole fighter will feature high maneuverability to ensure air superiority and precision in demolishing ground and sea targets.

 

Sukhoi aircraft maker informed that flight tests of the fifth-generation Russian-Indian fighter will begin as early as 2009 and mass production of the aircraft may start by 2015. Russia and India will simultaneously develop two versions of the combat aircraft - a two-seat version to meet the requirements of India’s air superiority policy, and a single-seat version for the Russian Air Force.