Russia to buy new fighters from Sukhoi

Russian prime minister said that Russia's Defense Ministry and the Sukhoi aircraft maker signed a 80 billion ruble ($2.5 billion) contract at the MAKS-2009 air show at Zhukovsky outside Moscow. Under this contract Russian Air Force will buy 48 Su-35S, 12 Su-27SM and four Su-30M2 fighter jets.

Vladimir Putin said the contract "sets a record in modern Russian history," adding that aircraft deliveries were to be completed by 2015. He also said the Russian government would provide an additional $100 million to Sukhoi's capital from the federal budget.

The head of Vnesheconombank (VEB), Vladimir Dmitriyev, said the national development bank would grant Sukhoi a 3.5 billion-ruble ($109 million) loan to start production of Su-35 jets. The Su-35 fighter, powered by two 117S engines with thrust vectoring, combines high maneuverability and the capability to effectively engage several targets simultaneously. It is equipped with a 30-mm cannon with 150 rounds, and can carry up to eight metric tons of combat payload on 12 external mounts.