INDIAN MOD’S COMMITTEE FOR VIABILITY OF FGFA

It has been reported that the Indian programme to co-develop a fifth-generation stealth fighter jointly with Russia faces an uncertain fate with the government deciding to set up a committee to examine the viability of the programme. The committee is to be headed by a threestar officer, would look into different aspects of the fifth-generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) project and the technology it brings into the country to meet the future requirements of the Indian Air Force (IAF). India and Russia have been discussing the project for several years but are yet to sign a $4-billion research and development (R&D) contract for the FGFA. It is understood that India has already spent ` 1,500 crore (about $0.23 billion) on the preliminary design stage (PDS) which was completed in June 2013.