Joint development of such an aircraft with foreign partners is possible
Moscow. December 7. Interfax-rostec is developing the concept of a light single-engine fifth-generation fighter at its own expense, the head of the state Corporation Sergey Chemezov told reporters.
"Indeed, we are working on creating a combat aviation system of the future in the light and medium class. According to the plan, it can be a universal platform, in manned and unmanned versions. The concept and tactical and technical requirements for such a complex are being worked out, " Chemezov said.
He noted that this topic is interesting from the point of view of promoting such an aircraft for export.
"So far, we are doing this on our own initiative without budget funds. The Ministry of defense did not make any orders. Nevertheless, we believe that this is a promising aircraft and are considering various options for cooperation with foreign partners," the head of Rostec said.
According to him, if the development of the aircraft is carried out at the state Corporation's own expense, then rostec can independently sell this equipment abroad, especially in the case of joint development with a state.
"Although the Ministry of defense can buy this aircraft for its own needs. Naturally, if the decision is made, it will need to be finalized for the internal appearance required by the Ministry of defense," Chemezov added.
In February 2017, Chemezov announced that Russia and the United Arab Emirates will jointly develop a fifth-generation light fighter. According to him, the aircraft can be created on the basis of the MiG-29, work will begin in 2018 and will take about 7-8 years.
The signing of an agreement with the UAE on the subject of a light front-line multi-purpose aircraft of the fifth generation was also reported in the Federal service for military-technical cooperation (FSMTC) of Russia.
In March 2017, Ilya Tarasenko, being the CEO of the MiG Corporation, said that an improved version of the fifth-generation fighter being developed jointly with the UAE would be offered to the Russian aerospace forces. "We are already in the development stage of this aircraft, and I think that in the coming years we will present this aircraft to the public," Tarasenko said.
In June of the same year, the head of Rosoboronexport, Alexander Mikheev, told Interfax that Russia and the UAE were consulting and agreeing on the technical parameters of the future aircraft.