Russia reportedly under contract to supply Syria with powerful jet fighters

            A Russian newspaper is reporting that Russia has a contract to provide Syria with powerful MIG fighter jets but has not begun delivering the planes. Kommersant cited the head of Russia's state-run aircraft corporation, Alexei Fyodorov, as saying a 2007 contract to sell MIG-31E interceptor fighters to Syria has not entered into force. The paper said Russian arms sales officials have denied such a contract exists. The speedy MIG-31E can fire simultaneously at several targets up to 180 kilometers away. Kommersant cited Fyodorov as saying a contract to provide Syria with MG-29M fighters is being implemented. (11,19)