India signs IGA with Russia to jointly develop 5th generation fighter Aircraft

New Delhi: India has signed the Inter-Government Agreement (IGA) with Russia for co-development and co-production of Fifth Generation Fighter aircraft in October 2007.

As per the IGA, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is the designated implementation organisation from the Indian side. In turn, HAL is supported by Defence Research Development Organisation ( DRDO), Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and other Indian agencies.

HAL and Rosoboronexport of Russia have signed the General Contract in December, 2008 and the Preliminary Design Contract in December, 2010. The Preliminary Stage of the project has been completed in June, 2013. The next stage of development would commence upon signing of the Research & Development (R&D) contract.

This information was given by Manohar Parrikar, Defence Minister in a written reply to Charanjeet Singh Rori and Vanaroja R in Lok Sabha today.