Russia is planning to join a tender on supplying fighters for the Indian Air Force, the defense minister said Tuesday.

India plans to buy 126 light fighters for its Air Force for about $4 billion.

"India will soon announce a tender for a large shipment of light fighters," said Sergei Ivanov, who is also deputy prime minister. "Russia and the MiG Corporation will proactively participate in the tender."

Ivanov said the MiG Corporation would offer India its MiG-35 aircraft, and that he was planning to visit India in the near future to discuss the fighter deal with Indian officials.

The MiG-35, an export version of the MiG-29M OVT (Fulcrum F), a highly maneuverable air superiority fighter, was shown for the first time in August 2005 during the MAKS Air Show outside Moscow.

Full Story