Article Posted on : - Oct 15, 2013

An artistic illustration of the PAK FA fifth-generation fighter. A Sukhoi photo

MOSCOW (BNS): With an aim to make headway into the Brazilian defence market, Russia has proposed joint development of a futuristic warplane of the type of its own fifth-generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) with Brazil, according to a news report.

A high level Russian delegation led by Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, which is visiting the Latin American country, is likely to make the proposal to Brazilian defence officials, a member of the delegation told Ria Novosti.

"During the talks in Brazil, we are ready to offer our partners deliveries of ready-for-sale advanced aircraft like the Su-35, but also joint development of a next-generation (combat) aircraft of the T-50 type," the source said.

The proposal has come after one of the Russian fighters contending for Brazil's F-X2 fighter programme was knocked out of competition. The Sukhoi Su-35 multi-role fighter was competing for the Brazilian air force's F-X2 tender for the purchase of 36 new fighter jets worth $4 billion.

Russia still hopes to sell the Su-35s or similar aircraft to Brazil outside the framework of that tender, sweetening the deal with the new proposal, the news report said.

Russia is developing a fifth-generation fighter aircraft, dubbed PAK FA, for its air force. The Russian Air Force expects to induct the futuristic fighters from 2016 onwards.

India has joined Russia in the project as it plans to acquire the new-generation warplanes for its air force.

The F-X2 tender is Brazil's second attempt to find a replacement for its ageing Northrop F-5 and Dassault Mirage fighters. An earlier tender, F-X, was cancelled in 2005 due to lack of funding.

France's Rafale, developed by Dassault Aviation, Sweden's Gripen NG produced by Saab, and the F/A-18 Super Hornet from US' Boeing are vying for the F-X2 deal.