World | India
Moscow ready to sell Delhi modern fighter aircraft
Russia will pitch its MiG-35 combat jet for an Indian tender for 126 fighter aircraft, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov said yesterday, adding that Moscow was willing to boost nuclear cooperation.
- Reuters
- Published: 00:00 January 24, 2007
Bangalore: Russia will pitch its MiG-35 combat jet for an Indian tender for 126 fighter aircraft, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov said yesterday, adding that Moscow was willing to boost nuclear cooperation.
"The Russian Federation is going to actively participate in the tender for supply of 126 light fighters," Ivanov told reporters in Bangalore.
Ivanov, on a three-day visit to India ahead of a trip by Russian President Vladimir Putin later this week, said Moscow would be sending its cutting-edge MiG-35 fighter to an international air show in Bangalore next month.
He also confirmed reports Moscow was ready to construct four new nuclear reactors in India, in addition to two already agreed.
India and Russia have close military and diplomatic ties, and Moscow is the biggest supplier of hardware to the Indian military, including combat jets, submarines, transport aircraft and tanks.
India's air force, one of the biggest in the world, plans to buy 126 new fighters to upgrade its combat fleet which includes ageing Russian MiG-21s and British Jaguars. The MiG-35 has the frame of an earlier Russian fighter, the MiG-29, but is more agile and has better avionics as well as an increased flying range.
"These aircraft are equipped with superb engines and can easily be manufactured in India," Ivanov said.
Sweden and the United States are also keen to meet the Indian Air Force's demand for new fighters.
The Americans are pushing their F/A-18 Super Hornet fighters built by Boeing Co as well as their F-16s. The Swedes are promoting their JAS-39 Gripen, built by Saab, media reports say. The French are keen to sell Dassault's Rafale fighter.
The minister said it was possible that Russia could construct new reactors at the Kudankulam nuclear power station in Tamil Nadu.
"Russia stands ready not only to construct four new reactors in Kudankulam but also to perform other activities in the Indian market," said Ivanov.
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