Indian-Russian JV mulls installing modified missiles on MiG-29

The Indian-Russian BrahMos Aerospace joint venture is looking into the possibility of installing a new modification of their missile on light combat aircraft, namely, the Tejas and the MiG-29, BrahMos Aerospace Market Promotion and Export General Manager Praveen Pathak told TASS on the sidelines of international expo Aero India 2019.

"We are developing a missile for the Tejas light fighter. India is also discussing purchasing numerous MiG-29 fighter jets. And we will try to adapt our missile to this aircraft as well," Pathak pledged.

Earlier, The Economic Times reported that the Indian Air Force had been in talks with Russia on urgently purchasing 21 multipurpose lightweight MiG-29 jets due to the fact that India is in dire need of fighters. The newspaper stated that the parties had held negotiations in the beginning of this year and are already hashing over the conditions of supplying the jets.

"Missile tests for the light fighters can begin in three or four years," Pathak specified.

In response to whether such a missile could be installed on Western aircraft that the Indian Air Force already possesses or can be purchased in the future, Pathak stressed that such a possibility is not under discussion now. "This would mean sharing sensitive information. So, for now we are only contemplating installing our missiles on Indian and Russian planes," Pathak specified.

 tass