BANGALORE, February 14. /TASS/. Russia’s fifth-generation T-50 PAK FA (Prospective Airborne Complex of Frontline Aviation) fighter jet with the new engine will make its first flight in the fourth quarter of 2017, the press service of Russia’s United Engine Corporation said on Tuesday.

"The first flight of the aircraft with the new engine is expected in the fourth quarter of 2017," said a spokesman for the company that produces engines for military and civil aviation. The project of creating the new engine is "in line with the timeframe," he added.

Now the Russian fifth-generation jet is fitted with the so-called first-stage 117C engine. The new engine has not yet received its official title and is called the second-stage engine.

The PAK FA plane is a promising fifth-generation fighter jet. It performed the first flight in 2010.The first five serial-produced T-50 fighter jets are expected to be delivered to the Armed Forces this year. The deliveries of the aircraft to the Armed Forces are due to start after 2018.

Draft contract on R&D

Russia and India are working on a draft contract on R&D work for developing the fifth-generation fighter jet, Deputy Director of Russia’s Federal Service for Military and Technical Cooperation Vladimir Drozhzhov told TASS.