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IANS (India) reported earlier that India will allocate $6 billion for joint development of FGFA. The project assumes production of 144 multi-role fighters – Perspective Multi-role Fighter (PMF), developed by Russia and India. The jets will be assembled in India, Indian Air Force Commander, Marshall Norman Anil Kumar Browne, said.
“The project’s total cost is $12 billion; the financing will be carried out on parity basis. The project assumes financing of detailed design, testing and production of prototypes”, – a source noted.
Accordingtohim, thedesigndefinitioniscurrentlyunderway. $295 million are allocated for completing this stage of the project. “The parties plan to launch the fighters serial production by 2020”, – a representative of CAWAT said. He also added that 60% of the fighter’s components will be manufactured in Russia.
According to IANS, which makes reference to Browne, this refers to the production of single-seat jets fitted with almost the same components as the Russian analogues. However, some equipment, for example mission computers, will have some distinctions (similar to the Su-30MKI adapted for India).
According to the agency, United Aircraft Corporation (UAC, Russia) will deliver engines for the Indian jets and provide stealth technologies. The fighters will be assembled by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The project is being implemented with the support of Defense Research and Development Organization reporting to the Indian Ministry of Defense and responsible for development of military technologies. Indian mass-media reported earlier that the country’s air forces planned to acquire 214 fifth-generation aircraft (166 single-seat jets and 48 two-seat ones), developed by India and Russia. However, this quantity was later reduced to 144 fighters.
At present India is upgrading its air forces. The basis of the country’s fighter aviation is formed by 130 multi-role Su-30MKI fighters (it is planned to expand the fleet of Su-30 MKIs to 270 vehicles in future) and 70 MiG-29s.
In addition, Indian air forces have 51 Mirage 2000s and about 200 MiG-21s (almost 50% of them are subject to disposal, while the rest ones will be upgraded). Recently India has held a tender on delivery of at least 126 multi-role fighters with a total value of over $10 billion. The Dassault Rafale (France) fighters won the tender.
Source: ruaviation.com
Photo: Indian Defense news