India upgrades Russian jets for 0 mln - I'fax

MOSCOW, Apr 11 (Reuters) Russia has signed a 0 million contract to replace 18 of India's Sukhoi-30 fighter jets with new versions of the same plane, Interfax news agency reported on Wednesday, citing a military source.

''Several days ago Rosoboronexport signed a contract to deliver the Indian air force 18 multifunctional Su-30MKI fighters,'' the source said, Interfax reported.

The Su-30MKI is a long-haul Sukhoi fighter specially modified for the Indian air force.

Indian officials had said they would sign a deal to buy 40 Sukhoi fighters by the end of March. It was unclear if this contract was part of that planned deal.

India's air force, one of the biggest in the world, plans to buy 126 new fighters to upgrade its combat fleet which includes ageing Russian MiG-21s, Mig-23s and MiG-27s.

REUTERS SBA HT2141