Moscow: Disclosing that India and Russia have begun development of a sophisticated combat aircraft, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has said that the defence co-operation between the two countries was of long-term and mutually beneficial character.

Asserting that Indo-Russian defence and military co-operation was "stable and rapidly" developing, Vajpayee said the two countries have started work on a fifth generation combat plane.

Two state-of-art frigates built in Russia have already joined the Indian naval fleet and deals on purchase of Sukhoi-30 MKI war planes and their licensed production in India are underway, Vajpayee told a group of Russian journalists in New Delhi on the eve of his departure on a three-day official visit to Moscow.

Russia has delivered the modern T-90 tanks to the Indian army he said adding that the "implementation of these and other projects proves co-operation between the two countries in the defence area is of a long-term and mutually beneficial character."

"The two countries are committed to maintaining and consolidating bilateral strategic partnership," he was quoted as saying by ITAR-TASS newsagency.

PTI