Russia Likely To Get First Batch Of T-50 Jets Next Year

The Russian Aerospace Forces are likely to get the first batch of fifth generation PAK FA T-50 jets next year.

"We will be through with its testing next year. The first five planes are priced in the contract," Aerospace Force commander Viktor Bondarev was quoted as saying by Tass Friday. "I believe that next year we will have the five planes in question."

He added the fighter jet would begin to be batch-produced shortly after that.

Bondarev recalled that the Aerospace Force was also purchasing Sukhoi-35 jets, Mi-28N and Ka-52 helicopters, and upgraded bombers Tupolev-95 and Tupolev-160, which possess "excellent parameters."

Earlier, the head of the United Aircraft Corporation, Yuri Slyusar, said the manufacturers and military were already discussing the delivery of an initial of batch of 12 planes.

Currently, engines of the first stage are mounted on the T-50 aircraft, which enable it to maintain a supersonic speed in a non-afterburning mode. After the fighter jet receives its organic engine of the second stage, its performance characteristics will improve considerably.

The T-50 performed its first flight on January 29, 2010. UAC posted a video of the canon test for T-50 fighter last month.