Russia, India to Design Fifth-Generation Fighter

Russia will sign an agreement with India in December to begin work on the preliminary design of a fifth-generation fighter aircraft.

Both countries have agreed to develop a single-seat and two-seat version of the aircraft by 2016, but to focus on the single-seat version in the initial stages of development.

The new aircraft will be based on Russia’s T-50 prototype fifth-generation fighter, which is expected to join the Russian Air Force in 2015.

Russia has hailed the fighter as a unique warplane that combines the capabilities of an air superiority fighter and attack aircraft, according to RIA Novosti.