OREANDA-NEWS. February 14, 2011. Development and production of perspective multi-role fighter is the largest joint project of Russian-Indian military-technical cooperation. In December 2010 during the visit of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to India, the Rosoboronexport, the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and the Sukhoi Company signed a contract to develop a preliminary design project of the new aircraft. This is the first of a series of documents governing the obligations of the parties at different stages of the program.

The PMF project includes the design and development of a next-generation fighter, which will have such advanced features as stealth, supersonic cruise speed, high maneuverability, highly integrated set of avionics, an advanced warning system about the situation, the internal deployment of weapons and the possibility of a centralized reporting and electronic warfare system. The fighter is being developed on the basis of the Russian perspective aviation complex (PAK FA) according to stringent technical requirements of the Indian side. The further development of the program envisages design and development of a two-place version of the aircraft and integration of an advanced engine with increased thrust. The two sides are supposed to cooperate in joint marketing of the complex in other countries.

Implementation of the Russian-Indian PMF project enhances the strategic partnership between the two countries and strengthening of regional and global security. The project is based on innovative technologies that promote the aviation industry and allied industries, total military-industrial complex of the two countries. The joint development and creation of a fifth generation fighter will facilitate the development of scientific schools. It will provide sustainable load of defense industry enterprises involved in the design and manufacturing of the PMF. This program provides an opportunity to accelerate the development and introduction of new materials, components and high technologies with a high potential for innovation, opens up prospects for the development of other projects of the unified aviation complexes of new generations.

The PMF project activity is based on the agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Republic of India on cooperation in the development and production of perspective multi-role fighter. The agreement was signed on October 18, 2007 at the 7th session of the Russian-Indian intergovernmental commission on military-technical cooperation in Moscow.

Sukhoi also participates in other projects in the area of the Russian-Indian military-technical cooperation: modernization of the Su-30MKI fighters of the Indian Air Force, after-sales support of these aircraft, as well as the program of the BrahMos missile integration on Su- 30MKI.