$9-bn combat aircraft deal on fast track

The defence ministry will shortly place an order to buy 126 multi-role combat aircraft and intends to complete the procurement by March 2007. This is in step with the new defence procurement procedure framed by the ministry.
Defence minister Pranab Mukherjee has said the procurement procedure is being put on a fast track as the new fighters, which will replace the ageing Russian MiG fleet, will be the main fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF).