Russia could supply MiG-29 fighter jets to Syria

Russia could supply 10 ultra-modern MiG-29 fighter jets to Syria under a possible contract being discussed with a visiting delegation from Damascus, Interfax reported on Thursday. The Russian news agency quoted MiG corporation director general Sergei Korotkov as saying that the details of the contract were now under discussion. "There is a Syrian delegation in Moscow at the moment. We are determining the details of this contract," Interfax quoted Korotkov as saying. "I think that they will be delivered to Syria," he added in apparent reference to the MiG-29 fighters, which are one of the most modern jets used in the Russian airforce today. The Interfax and RIA Novosti news agencies said the contract involved 10 fighters but gave no other details. Russia has defended its past arms deliveries to Syria by saying it was only fulfilling contracts signed with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government before the current conflict broke out more than two years ago. The Interfax report was issued moments before President Vladimir Putin's foreign policy adviser Yury Ushakov told news agencies that he was not aware of new arms contracts being agreed with Syria at this time. Ushakov said that as far as he was aware, "Russia does not intend to conclude any new contracts," without making a direct reference to the MiG-29 report. The United States and European powers have repeatedly urged Russia to halt its supply of weapons to Assad's regime, which is Moscow's most significant remaining ally in the Middle East. Russia last year was forced to take back a shipment of repaired attack helicopters and their spare parts destined for Syria after the shipment was detected off the coast of Britain.