Will India, Russia Co-develop a new fighter?
India and Russia have failed to make progress on one of their most prestigious defense deals—the co-development and production of the Sukhoi/HAL Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA), known in India as the Perspective Multi-role Fighter (PMF).
The most recent stumbling block to a successful continuation of the project has been Russia’s unwillingness to share sensitive aircraft technology with India. New Delhi is demanding a full-scale transfer of technology in order to boost India’s domestic fighter-manufacturing capabilities.
In September 2016, both sides agreed to a detailed work-sharing agreement. “From a preliminary document that was barely two dozen pages, we have agreed on a 650 page detailed plan that specifies exactly what all will be shared,” an unidentified Indian defense official was quoted at the time. However, India has so far not signed the agreement. “We are awaiting the Indian side’s decision on the FGFA project. We are fulfilling our obligations and are prepared to continue work,” a Russian defense industry official told TASS news agency on March 22.
