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India prefer Mig to Sukhoi to create fifth-generation fighter

India preferred Mig fifth-generation fighter prototype to the same project of Sukhoi design bureau.

India showed interest to the fifth-generation fighter project, developing in Russian Aircraft Corporation “MiG”, says ‘Vedomosti’ newspaper. India refused to finance ‘Sukhoi’ company project, which was taken as a leading one in Russia.

During the Russia visit Indian Defense Minister Pranaba Mukerji was shown several perspective light fighters projects which weren’t supported by Russian Defense Ministry. Among them were Russian Aircraft Corporation “MiG” projects. One of them caused extreme interest of Indian delegation.

In the mean time new Russian fighter development program leading company is ‘Sukhoi’. Technical enquiry of Russian Defense Ministry in terms of “Perspective frontline aviation complex” (PAK FA, I-21 or T-50) ‘Sukhoi’ company received in July 2002. Autumn 2004 was finished aircraft project development, it’s submission is being planned on 2006. By the 2007 prototype should be built.

Project development will cast to ‘Sukhoi’ appx 1,5 billion dollars, but including all other expances the whole program cast will be more then 5 billion dollars.

During it’s visit, Mukerji said India will not finance this aircraft development. “Our airforces and industry would like to participate in all stages of fifth-generation fighter development - from the reseacrh, concept and project creation to the co-production and financing.”, - he said and added that India is not interested in simple export of ready aircraft.

Leaders of “MiG” corporation consider such partnership with India on the new fighter program can help to get a contract on 126 new fighters supply. Probable summ of the contract India is declaring from the beginning of 2005 is 9 billions of dollars. In terms of this contest Russia will be represented by the Mig-29M2 fighter.