JAPAN TO BUY RUSSIAN FIGHTERS?

Government sources in Tokyo indicated on June 7 that Japan is considering the purchase of several Russian fighter jets — either the Su-27 or the MiG-29 — possibly by the end of this year. The purchase was said to be aimed at enhancing Japanese-Russian defense cooperation and helping to ease Russia’s economic difficulties. The Japanese sources suggested that the aircraft would not enter the country’s defense forces, but would be studied for their combat capabilities and the technology they contain. (Kyodo, Ekho Moskvy, June 7)

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