Russia says MiG-35 fighter production not before 2014

Vinay Shukla

Moscow, Aug 14 (PTI) India's biggest ever defence deal
worth USD 10 billion for 126 fighter aircraft seems to be
running into delays with makers of the Russian contender
MiG-35 saying that the serial production of its jet cannot
start before 2014.

"We have begun testing the MiG-35 fighter for the Indian
tender. The production could commence not before 2013-2014,"
Alexander Karezin, general director of the Sokol aircraft
plant was quoted as saying by RIA Novosti.

The MiG announcement came as the first tests of the
contending fighters would get underway in a month's time.
Besides the MiG, Swedish Gripen, French Rafale, Eurofighter
and American F-16 from Lockheed and F-18A from Boeing are in
the race.

The fighters are to undergo flight tests in Bangalore,
Leh in Jammu and Kashmir and in the Thar desert.

The Russians have identified the Nizhny Novgorod (Volga
region) plant as the manufacturer of the new MiG-35 offered to
India.

MiG-35 Fulcrum-F, an export version of the MiG-29M OVT
(Fulcrum F), is said to be a highly maneuverable air
superiority fighter and was displayed at Aero India air show
in Bangalore and Le Bourget air show in France.

Sokol plant is reported to have sent first two MiG-35
aircraft to India for evaluation and later this year IAF test
pilots are expected to arrive to conduct a series of flight
tests with live firing at one of the firing ranges in Russia.

The fighter is powered by RD-33 OVT thrust vectoring
engines. The RD-33 OVT engines provide superior
maneuverability and enhance the fighter's performance in close
air engagements.

Russia has offered full technology transfer to India in
case the MiG-35 is chosen for the Indian tender. PTI VS
DDC
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