MOSCOW, August 18 (RIA Novosti) - The Russian...

The contract, signed during the MAKS-2009 air show in Zhukovsky near Moscow, stipulates the delivery of 48 Su-35 by 2015, and 12 Su-27SM and four Su-30M2 multirole fighters by 2011.

The value of the contract was not disclosed, but according to open sources, the cost of a Su-35 fighter, billed as "4++ generation using fifth-generation technology," is estimated at up to $65 million.

The head of Vnesheconombank (VEB), Vladimir Dmitriyev, announced at the air show on Tuesday that the national development bank would grant Sukhoi a 3.5 billion-ruble ($109 million) loan to start mass production of Su-35 jets.

The Su-35 fighter, powered by two 117S engines with thrust vectoring, combines high maneuverability and the capability to effectively engage several air targets simultaneously using both guided and unguided missiles and weapon systems.

The aircraft also features the new Irbis-E radar with a phased antenna array, which allows the pilot to detect and track

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