New parcel of MiG deck-based fighters is delivered to India

(Rusnavy):   JSC Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG delivered another 5-plane parcel of deck-based fighters MiG-29K/KUB to Indian Navy, reported the company's press service.

As was said in the press release, "a simulator with mobility system and technical material was also delivered to the orderer".

According to World Arms Trade Analytic Center (WATAC), in Jan 2004 Indian defense ministry signed a $740 mln contract for 16 fighters MiG-29K/KUB within the framework of agreement on modernization of aircraft-carrying cruiser Admiral Gorshkov. The contract provided procurement of simulators, technical maintenance and repair of aircrafts. Also, the option covered purchase of other 29 fighters.

Commissioning ceremony of the first parcel of MiG-29K/KUB fighters into Indian Navy was held on Feb 19, 2010. Reportedly, there were 6 airplanes delivered.

Until aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya is put into service, the fighters will be stationed at naval aviation center in Hansa base, Goa. Squadron of MiG-29K/KUB fighters was named "Black Panther".

In the framework of MiG-29K/KUB fighter procurement program, in Apr 2009 Indian Navy established technical center in Hansa base which will provide maintenance support and pilot training.

During the visit of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to India in March 2010, the parties signed a contract for 29 deck-based fighters MiG-29K, i.e. the earlier agreed option was implemented. It is planned to start deliveries under that $1.5 bln contract since 2012. Sixteen fighters out of 29 will be based on INS Vikramaditya.

Totally, Indian Navy intends to form three squadrons of deck-based fighters MiG-29K. To do that, it is planned to increase overall number of purchased MiG-29K/KUB fighters up to 50.

Besides, in Nov 2009 Indian Navy launched fighter procurement program for perspective aircraft carriers. India sent requests to Boeing, Dassault, and MiG. Presumably, a series of 16 deck-based fighters would be purchased with possible increase up to 40 aircrafts to be based on three national aircraft carriers. The first ship was laid down in Feb 2009 at Cochin shipyard. According to the schedule, it is supposed to join Indian Navy till the end of 2015.

Deck-based fighters MiG-29K (single-seated) and MiG-29KUB (two-seated) are 4++ generation multirole aircrafts designed for air defense of ship formations, air domination, destruction of sea- and land-based targets by guided high-precision weapons day and night in any weather conditions.

First flight of prototype fighter MiG-29KUB was performed in Jan 2007. Serial aircraft took off for the first time in March 2008.

Major technical and technological innovations applied at new fighters MiG-29K/KUB:

improved airframe with high portion of composite materials;
folded wing providing improved takeoff/landing parameters;
digital quad-redundant aircraft control system;
significantly reduced radar signature;
increased combat load;
increased capacity of fuel system;
in-flight refueling system;
multimode pulse-doppler onboard radar Zhuk-ME providing simultaneous tracking of 10 air targets and missile firing at 4 of them;
multi-channel optical detection radar and targeting system for anti-radar missiles;
powerful air-to-air and air-to-surface guided weapons with possible enlargement upon orderer's desire.

MiG-29K/KUB fighters have advanced operational performance and improved reliability of systems and mechanisms. Comparing to earlier produced aircrafts, sortie rate of MiG-29K/KUB is more than 2 times higher, and flight hour cost is almost 2.5 times reduced.

Complete set of educational aids was developed for MiG-29K/KUB, including complex simulator with mobility system.