MOSCOW: India and Russia on Tuesday signed a multi-million dollar deal for supply of engines for the Intermediate Jet Trainers (IJTs) developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL).

The agreement was inked between Russian defence export agency Rosoboronoexport and HAL in the presence of President Vladimir Putin at the international aerospace show ‘MAKS -2005’ in Zhukovsky near here.

Under the agreement, India would buy 250 AL-55 engines for IJTs with the option of another 1,000 engines to be produced under licence in India, sources said.

The AL-55 engine is being developed by Ufa-based Russian engine factory, which has been closely linked with NPO Satrun aircraft engine designing bureau.

HAL Chairman Ashok K. Baweja arrived here on Monday with a high-level team to participate in the air show. For the first time HAL has its own stall in MAKS.

“The signing with India has great importance for the development of bilateral military-technical cooperation,” Rosoboronoexport said in a statement.—By arrangement with TribuneIndia