Russia to Sell 20 MiG-29 Fighters to Burma

Russia and Burma signed a contract several weeks ago for the purchase of the aircraft at a cost of nearly 400 million euros (US $570 million), the paper reported, quoting a source close to the Russian arms company Rosoboronexport.

Kommersant said it was the biggest export contract for MiG-29 fighters since a deal with Algeria in 2007.

Burma took delivery of a dozen MiG-29 fighters from Russia in 2001, the paper said.

One source close to Rosoboronexport told the paper that Russia secured the MiG-29 deal by beating off an offer by China to supply Burma with “ultra-modern” J-10 and FC-1 fighters “on very advantageous conditions.”

Russia, a staunch ally of Burma at the UN, is among the country's leading arms suppliers. Russia is to build a “nuclear studies” center in Burma, which will include a 10-megawatt, light water-moderated nuclear reactor.