RIA Novosti: Russia and India fix T-50 fighter design contract cost

NEW DELHI, December 16 (RIA Novosti) Russia and India have agreed the estimated cost of a design contract for their joint fifth-generation fighter project at $295 million, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Chairman Ashok Nayak said in an interview with RIA Novosti.

"The cost of preliminary design is estimated at $295 million. The work is expected to be complete within 18 months," Nayak said.

Russia's Sukhoi holding and India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) agreed in early 2010 to jointly develop a fifth-generation fighter jet based on the prototype T-50 design. India confirmed that it had finalized a draft contract at a meeting with Russia in early October.

Nayak said the contract could be signed by the representatives of India's HAL and Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) during a visit by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to India on December 20-22.

The two sides agreed to develop both a single-seat and a two-seat version of the aircraft by 2016, focusing on the single-seat version in the initial stages of development. The costs will be shared equally between Russia and India.

The first Russian prototype T-50 made its maiden flight in January 2010. India plans to build about 300 5th generation fighters with Russia

The new fighter aircraft is expected to enter service with the Indian Air Force by 2020.
 

The technical evaluation of the Indian medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) has been completed by 18 November 2008 according to Wikipedia. 

The Sunday Telegraph reported the  Eurofighter Typhoon has won the competition in "technical terms."

The Sukhoi T-50 is a fighter-bomber while the Mig-35 Fulcrum fighter is the Russian entry in the MMRCA competition. India plans to procure 124 MMCRA aircraft and possibly purchase an additional 75 later on.

The US is competing with both the older F-16 and F-18 export versions.

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