Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) and RAC MiG have reached an agreement on purchase of 16 MiG-29SMT fighters. The corresponding contract should be signed soon. This contract ensures RAC MiG’s production until 2016, Kommersant reports with reference to a high-ranking source.

According to the source, the parties may also exercise an option for the second batch of these fighters. The contract’s value may reach 16 billion rubles.

«Following the results of tests carried out in 2011 in the network of a tender issued by India, MiG-35 demonstrated the required performance. For example, it was the only participant of the tender to pass the high-altitude test. RAC MiG will have an opportunity to refine the jet and prepare it for serial production over the next three years. But now we are focused on MiG-29SMT, which is being operated by the air forces», — the source noted.

This information was also confirmed by representatives of United Aircraft Corporation. «The agreement on purchase of 16 fighters has already been reached, but we also plan to offer an option for more jets to the MoD», - a representative of UAC explained.