Article Posted on : - Apr 08, 2009

Fifth-generation fighters are unique and revolutionary than their predecessors

MOSCOW (BNS): Russia may allow Brazil to produce its fifth-generation fighter aircraft (FGFA), being developed jointly with India, a senior government official has said here.

"We are discussing with the well-known Brazilian company Embraer the transfer of technology and the construction of facilities for the future licensed production of aircraft, including FGFA," deputy director of Federal Service on Military-Technical Cooperation Alexander Fomin was quoted as saying by RIA Novosti.

Russia's advanced multi-role fighter is being developed by the Sukhoi aircraft maker, part of Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), along with India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), under a preliminary inter-governmental agreement signed in October 2007.

The first prototype is scheduled to make its maiden flight before the end of this year.

Currently only the U.S. produces similar military aircraft, although several other countries have the capabilities.

Meanwhile, Russia's Su-35 jet fighter is participating in an ongoing tender for the delivery of over 100 fighters to the Brazilian Air Force.

Brazil wants a multi-role fighter to protect its national airspace as well as to keep track of smugglers in the Amazon basin and guard the country's offshore oil rigs. However, it also wants the multi-billion dollar contract to reenergize the domestic defense industry through home-grown production and as much technology transfer as can be afforded.

Fifth-generation fighters are unique and revolutionary aircraft and have advanced stealth, fighter agility, integrated information and sensor fusion, and a new level of reliability, maintainability and deployability.