ZHUKOVSKY (Moscow Region), July 7 (RIA Novosti) - Russia is expecting a new fifth-generation fighter to enter service in 2013, the Air Force commander said on Monday.

"We will begin test flights [of the new fighter] in 2009, and hope to receive the aircraft in 2013," Col. Gen. Alexander Zelin said.

The new fighter aircraft, tentatively designated as the Sukhoi PAK FA or T-50, will be built at the Komsomolsk-on-Amur aircraft manufacturing plant in Russia's Far East.

The T-50 fighter, equipped with two powerful engines with thrust vectoring, will feature high maneuverability and stealth to ensure air superiority and precision in destroying ground and sea targets.

Some experts believe the PAK FA fighter has been designed to be comparable to both the American F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II.

It will eventually replace the MiG-29 Fulcrum and Su-27 Flanker fighters in the Russian Air Force and will be exported to other countries.