Russia To Sign MiG-35 Deal By Next Week

Russia could sign a deal to purchase MiG-35 fighter jets by next week, while first deliveries to begin in 2015-2016.

The contract could be signed at Moscow’s MAKS International Aviation and Space show, which will run from August 27 through September 1, Trade and Industry Minister Denis Manturov was quoted as saying by RIA Novosti.

Deputy Defense Minister Yury Borisov said Tuesday the ministry had postponed the purchase of 37 MiG-35’s until 2016 because the defense industry cannot fulfill the contract, and would buy 16 MiG-29SMT fighter jets instead.

The ministry was due to sign a $1.1 billion deal with MiG in June, but last month the aircraft corporation's CEO Sergei Korotkov told RIA Novosti the contract had still not been signed.

The Mikoyan MiG-35 (Fulcrum-F) is a fourth generation fighter jet and a modification of the MiG-29M. It is equipped with air-to-air and air-to-surface guided missiles, as well as the Zhuk-A radar system.