NEW DELHI: The long-delayed project to develop a new fifth generation fighter aircraft with Russia is now back on track with a firm push by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar reviving talks and cost negotiations that had been stalled for over a year.A senior team from Russia is currently in the capital for joint development talks on the Prospective Multirole Fighter (PMF) with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and commercial aspects of the deal are being worked out. India, which has already invested over $ 290 million in the fifth generation fighter program with Russia’s Sukhoi Design Bureau had earlier wavered between continuing with the joint development project or buying a few of the fighters off the shelf.Senior officials have told ET that the joint development model is now on track with Parrikar backing the development and production of the fighter as part of the Make in India initiative. Objections that had been raised by the air force – with one senior officer even terming the fighter as a ‘third generation’ combat aircraft – are likely to be addressed with a collaborative development approach.“The qualitative requirements for the fighter have been drawn up by the air force and those will be met with the joint development project. The ministry is keen to carry forward the project and not just buy some fighters off the shelf as was suggested by certain quarters,” an official involved in the process told ET.While the final commercial aspects – the investments to be made by either side as well as the work share agreement – are likely to be concluded within the next few months, the deciding factor on going ahead will be the availability of funds with the air force to take on the project.The air force budget has been strained with a series of high value acquisitions and ongoing payments for upgrades and transport aircraft and the addition of the Rafale fighter deal – expected to cost over Rs 60,000 – could leave its spending power limited over the next 2-3 years.