Sukhoi pips MiG in Indian 5th Gen A/c deal

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Russian aircraft manufacturer Sukhoi has won the bid to develop the fifth generation multi-role superfighter for the Indian and Russian air forces.

Sukhoi bagged the tender by beating its two key rivals _ MiG and Yakovlev corporations.

Russian Minister of Industry, Science and Technology Ilya Klebanov, Friday announced that the Yakovlev Design Bureau and MiG Corporation would also take part in the project, Russian Interfax news agency has reported.

The new aircraft is expected to take off in 2006 and is likely to be operational from 2008.

Russia and India have already agreed to jointly design, develop and build the fifth generation superfighter.

Defence Minister George Fernandes, during his recent visit to Moscow, discussed the joint project with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov, who reiterated Moscow’s pledge to design and build the aircraft in collaboration with India.

Kasyanov also promised to speed up the preparatory work on the development of the new generation fighter jet that would compete with the US Joint Strike Fighter, co-funded by several countries.