Russia and India agreed to speed up development of the fifth-generation fighter, Rossiyskaya Gazeta reports with reference to NDTV (India).

In the course of negotiations the Indian party expressed doubts about necessity of carrying out new research and development work, because a few prototypes of the fifth-generation fighter are already taking part in the flight test program in Russia.

“We want to put the new fighter into service much earlier than initially planned - 2024-2025,” Indian Minister of Defense Manohar Parrikar said.

We remind you that Russia and India have completed detailed design of the jet. Many of the jet’s system will feature a high level of commonality with the systems of PAK FA fighter; however, the Indian jet will be a two-seater. Delhi plans to manufacture 127 new jets at the Nashik-based aviation plant. The cost of this project is around $25 billion.