Article Posted on : - Oct 11, 2012

The T-50 fifth generation fighter aircraft. A Sukhoi photo.

NEW DELHI (BNS): India will begin building the export variant of Sukhoi's T-50 stealth fighter from 2020, Russian Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov announced on Wednesday during a visit to New Delhi.

"The technical characteristics have been confirmed to both India and Russian defence ministries. We propose serial production of the aircraft should start by 2020," RIA Novosti quoted him as saying, following the meeting of an Indian-Russian intergovernmental commission.

The T-50 is being developed under the PAK FA programme (Future Aviation System for Tactical Air Force) at the Sukhoi experimental design bureau and is currently undergoing flight tests by the Russian Air Force.

The fighter aircraft will feature an electronically-scanned active-array radar, supercruise capability, high manoeuvrability and low radar and infra-red signatures.

The two countries will soon be signing a deal for an additional batch of 42 Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter aircraft.

"Russia has presented India with a contract for delivery of another 42 Su-30MKI aircraft. I hope it will be signed by year-end," Serdyukov added.