19:10, 12 May 2009 | GMT +5
U.S. buys Su-27 fighters from Ukraine for 'aggressor' training
MOSCOW. May 12. KAZINFORM. The United States has bought two Su-27 Flanker fighter jets to help train U.S. pilots to cope with the growing number of Russian 4th-generation aircraft sold around the globe, a U.S. online magazine said; Kazinform refers to RIA Novosti.

The two planes have been bought from a private Ukrainian company by the Reno-based Tac Air, which provides training and test support for the military.
The aircraft will also be used to test the effectiveness of new U.S. radars and electronic warfare equipment, the Strategy Page reported.
The 33-ton Su-27 is similar to the U.S. F-15, but costs some 30% less, the source said.
According to U.S. sources, the two aircraft, which have been acquired in a commercial variant, stripped of weaponry, are being overhauled and modified by the U.S. Pride Air company; Kazinform cites RIA Novosti. See www.en.rian.ru for full version.