MOSCOW, Jan. 21 (UPI) -- The testing of Russia's fifth-generation fighter aircraft has been moved up to 2009, a Russian government official said Wednesday.
Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov told a meeting of the country's Military-Industrial Commission that tests of the new multi-role fighter must begin as early as 2009 so the aircraft can start service in 2015, the Russian news agency RIA Novosti reports.
Earlier plans called for testing of the new fighter aircraft to take place in 2010.
The new Russian fighter jet is being developed jointly by Russia's United Aircraft Corporation and India's Hindustan Aeronautics.
The agreement calls for producing two versions of the combat aircraft, one a two-seater to meet India's requirements and another single-seat version for the Russian Air Force.
