NEW DELHI: State-run aerospace behemoth Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) today strongly pitched for going ahead with the fifth-generation fighter jet project with Russia, though the Indian Air Force is understood to have reservations over it. Asked about IAF's reservations about the project, Raju did not give a direct reply and insisted that it would help India's aerospace sector to a great extent. In 2007, India and Russia had inked an inter-governmental pact for the FGFA project. In February last year, India and Russia revived talks on the project after a clearance from the then Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar. In October last year, India and Russia had finalised a broad agreement for a joint venture between HAL and two Russian defence majors.

Source: Economic Times October 23, 2017 15:33 UTC