India and Russia will discuss the development schedule of the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) when Russian deputy prime minister, SS Sobyanin, visits India sometime in the middle of the month.

Sukhoi design bureau's PAK FA (Perspektivniy Aviatsionniy Komplex - Frontovoy Aviatsii, or, the Future Front line Aircraft System), project, to give it its Russian designation, is touted as a competitor for the American F-22 Raptor stealth, advanced fighter aircraft programme. Informally, it is also referred to as the 'Raptorski.'

Rich in radar evasion characteristics, the prototype made its maiden flight late last month.

India has a joint development programme for the project where though it will foot development costs on an equal-share basis it will be responsible for the development of 25-30 per cent of the systems, particularly the twin-seat variant asked for by the IAF.

The Russians are developing the single-seat variant.

The FGFA aircraft will act as considerable force-multipliers in the region and will serve to boost the capabilities of a force that is gradually inducting 250-plus Sukhoi-30MKI fighters, currently rated as possibly the best conventional 4th generation fighter in operation with any of the world's air forces.

Unlike the heavy weight Sukhois, India is also set to induct atleast 126 medium category frontline multi-role fighter aircraft over the coming decades under the multi-role medium range combat role aircraft programme (MMRCA).

These too will greatly enhance capabilities of the air force. There are currently six vendors are in the fray for the supply of these aircraft.

The PAK FA/FGFA programme is expected go into mass production in about five years.

Besides the talks on the FGFA programme, the military-technical team accompanying Sobyanin will also hold discussions on the acquisition of additional T-90S tanks, the MiG-29K, which is a naval variant, additional Su-30MKI aircraft and the multi-role transport aircraft project, defence sources said.

Lately, the bilateral defence relationship has made huge progress with the resolution of the vexed issue of re-pricing the Adm Gorshkov project. Russia is now poised to commence deliveries of additional stealth frigates to the Indian Navy.

It is also scheduled to transfer an Akula-II class nuclear-powered submarine to India by the middle of this year.

Sobyanin's visit will be watched with interest in defence circles and will also likely lay the groundwork for premier Vladimir Putin's visit sometime in March or April.