News In Brief

Soviet arms official visits India; MIG sale in offing

Deputy Soviet Defense Minister Pavel Kutakhov arrived in India Monday to start a tour of defense installations amid press reports of a possible sale of new Soviet combat aircraft to the subcontinent.

General Kutakhov, commander in chief of the Air Force, will meet with senior Indian officials during his five-day visit and will tour defense installations at the invitation of the Indian Air Force chief of staff, Air Chief Marshal Dilbagh Singh.

The Indian Air Force has equipped several of its squadrons with Soviet fighter aircraft. Indian press reports have said a new Soviet combat aircraft, the MIG-31, has been offered for sale to India.