IAF chief Arup Raha on six-day visit to Russia

Indian Air Force (IAF) Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha on Monday began his six-day visit to Russia during which he will meet top military officials, as the two countries eye key projects like the one for joint development of fifth generation fighter aircraft and upgrade of Su30-MKI planes, besides other programmes. The visit comes just days after India and Russia announced deals worth over $12 billion, including the S400 Triumf air defence systems which will be operated by the IAF. "The visit is intended to take the existing defence cooperation between the air forces of the two countries to the next level," a statement by the IAF said.