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Russian experts to make presentation on advanced aircraft

Russian experts, who have completed the initial work on the proposed Indo-Russian joint development of the fifth generation combat aircraft, would soon make a presentation of the blueprint to Indian experts.

Stating this in a written reply in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, Defence Minister George Fernandes said New Delhi and Moscow had agreed to go ahead with the building of the next generation fighter aircraft at the first meeting of the Indo-Russian inter-governmental commission.

Fernandes also told the House that the Defence Research and Development Organisation scientists had encountered certain technological problems, which had delayed the test firing of Trishul and Akash ground-to-air missile.

He said problems had been encountered with command guidance and the rocket propulsion system because of which funds earmarked for the missiles had not been utilised fully.

The minister said efforts were on and scientists were hopeful of achieving a breakthrough by 2003.

Fernandes also said HAL had successfully tested the new advanced low cost attack helicopters Lancer and that three of these choppers had already been delivered to the army for user trials.

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