India will remain the key buyer of Russian jets: Report
According to a Russian think tank India will remain the main purchaser of Russian-made combat aircraft for the next 15 years
Caption: Su-30MK (SB003) sandwiched by a MiG-29 and Jaguar IS at Lohegaon AFS. A File Photo
MOSCOW (PTI): India will remain the main buyer of Russian fighter jets which include sophisticated Su-30MKI at least for next 15 years, a think tank has said.
'The Forecast for Combat Aircraft Deliveries to India', report published by the Moscow-based Centre for Analysis and Technologies (CAST) says New Delhi will buy up to 90 Su-30MKI fighters under existing contracts and may also purchase additional Su-30 or modernised MiG-29K deck-based fighters for the Indian Navy.
In addition, Russia signed in March last year a contract with the Indian Defence Ministry to upgrade around 70 MiG-29 fighters, in service since 1980s, and agreed to develop a fifth-generation fighter together with India.
Russia's MiG-35 four-plus generation medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) is currently in the race for the USD 10.6-billion mega tender to supply 126 multi-role fighters to the IAF.
CAST Director Ruslan Pukhov believes that the MiG-35 has an excellent chance of winning the tender because the Russian fighter is superior to its Western rivals in the fray.
'The Forecast for Combat Aircraft Deliveries to India', report published by the Moscow-based Centre for Analysis and Technologies (CAST) says New Delhi will buy up to 90 Su-30MKI fighters under existing contracts and may also purchase additional Su-30 or modernised MiG-29K deck-based fighters for the Indian Navy.
In addition, Russia signed in March last year a contract with the Indian Defence Ministry to upgrade around 70 MiG-29 fighters, in service since 1980s, and agreed to develop a fifth-generation fighter together with India.
Russia's MiG-35 four-plus generation medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) is currently in the race for the USD 10.6-billion mega tender to supply 126 multi-role fighters to the IAF.
CAST Director Ruslan Pukhov believes that the MiG-35 has an excellent chance of winning the tender because the Russian fighter is superior to its Western rivals in the fray.
