IAF to induct 214 stealth, fifth generation fighter aircraft
04 Oct 2011
New Delhi: The Indian Air Force (IAF) will induct a total of 214 single and twin-seat variants of the advanced, stealth Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) being jointly developed by India and Russia. The fighters are likely to be inducted for operational service by 2017.
"We are looking for 166 single seat and 48 twin-seat versions of the aircraft," IAF chief, air chief marshal NAK Browne said here in New Delhi on Monday. He was addressing the annual press conference ahead of IAF Day on 8 October.
The FGFA project will be reviewed by India and Russia in the course of defence minister AK Antony's meetings with his Russian counterpart AE Serdyukov in Moscow.
He said the FGFA project was at a preliminary stage and was expected to involve more efforts by both sides when it entered the design phase next year.
"By 2012, negotiations will start for the design phase of the aircraft," he said.
The IAF chief said India would also discuss basing air force, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and DRDO teams in Russia to monitor progress of the joint venture project.