DELHI. March 20 (Interfax) - Russia and India have been involved in consultations on the preparation of contracts on research and development activities under the joint program of developing a multirole jetfighter, Russian Ambassador to India Alexander Kadakin said.
"As of now the passport of the aircraft's export design has been approved, a general contract on its realization has been signed, technical requirements to the jetfighter and the division of activates under the project have been agreed upon. The parties are in consultations on the preparation of a contract on research and development activities," Kadakin told Interfax-AVN.
Negotiations and work on this very important project are proceeding normally, he said. "If there is a delay because India has to redistribute financial resources to other purchases, where prices have grown unexpectedly, there is no reason to rap Russia for such delays," he said.
The multirole jetfighter is designed under Russian-Indian intergovernmental agreement dated October 18, 2007. The Russian side is represented in the project by Rosoboronexport and the Sukhoi company. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) represents the Indian side.