BANGALORE, February 15. /TASS/. Russia and India are eyeing an opportunity to develop a fifth generation fighter jet at the facilities of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), CEO of the Russian arms export agency Rosoboronexport Alexander Mikheev told TASS in an interview on the sidelines of the Aero India 2023 international air show.

"Russia is ready to continue cooperation in this sphere [joint production], including with regards to the fifth generation fighter, and produce new airplanes after inking the contract at HAL’s facilities. This depends on decisions of the Indian side," Mikheev explained.

The countries already have a joint track record in fighter jet development, he noted. "The experience of working on the Su-30MKI airplane together with India has demonstrated that our countries can collaborate in such utterly challenging and high-tech projects as the creation of the production facility for the fourth generation fighter. This aircraft has formed the backbone of the Indian Air Force and has proven itself well in active military duty," the company executive added.