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MOSCOW (BNS): The first batch of Russia's fifth-generation T-50 fighter prototypes will be delivered to the Air Force in 2013 for performance testing, according to Col. Gen. Alexander Zelin.

Russian news agency Ria Novosti quoting Zelin, a former Air Force commander, said work on the fifth-generation fighter is going according to schedule.

"The third prototype has joined the testing programme and the fourth is being built," he was quoted as saying.

The T-50 is being developed under the PAK FA programme (Future Aviation System for Tactical Air Force) at the Sukhoi experimental design bureau.

It is Russia's first new major warplane designed since the fall of the Soviet Union. The T-50 made its maiden flight in January 2010 and three prototypes have since been undergoing flight tests, the report said.

The fighter made its first public debut in August 2011, in Zhukovsky near Moscow, at the MAKS-2011 air show.

India is partnering with Russia in developing the warplanes for its air force.