The first MiG-29KUB carrier-based fighter developed for the Indian Navy. Photo Credit: Novosti
May 20, 2008 (Sawf News) - The first four Indian Navy MiG 29K for INS Vikramaditya will be delivered in September, a good four years ahead of the aircraft career, delivery of which has been postponed to 2012.
"The first four of the 16 MiG 29 K/KUB will arrive in the country in September and the pilot training has been completed for these aircraft," a Navy official said Tuesday, May 20, 2008.
Russia is to supply the Indian Navy with 16 carrier-based MiG-29K/KUB aircraft (12 single-seat K models and 4 dual-seat KUB models) under a $740 million contract signed in January 2004. The contract also stipulates the procurement of hardware for pilot training and aircraft maintenance, including flight simulators and interactive ground & sea based training systems.
The first MiG-29KUB carrier-based fighter developed for the Indian Navy. Photo Credit: Novosti
Delivery of the first aircraft was initially scheduled for June 2007, a year before the upgrade and transfer of Vikramaditya (formerly Admiral Gorshkov) to the Indian Navy was to be completed in 2008. Deliveries of all 16 aircraft were expected to be completed by 2009.
However, because of massive bungling by Russian officials at different levels, especially at Sevmash shipyard which is responsible for refurbishing the ship, delivery of Vikramaditya has been rescheduled. It will now take to the seas in 2010, and delivered to the IN after 18 months of sea trial in 2012.
"The ship-borne aircrafts will be based in Goa and will fly on shore till Admiral Gorshkov arrives," the Indian Navy official said.
The first MiG-29KUB carrier-based fighter developed for the Indian Navy. Photo Credit: Novosti
However, it is not as simple as that.
The pilots earmarked to fly the MiG 29K were sent to the US for training in carrier operations. That training is likely to go waste because most of those pilots will not be available for squadron flying when the Vikramaditya finally arrives. Even if they are, they will need to be retrained in the US for deck operations.
The Navy MiG 29K are far more advanced than the MiG 29 that equip the Indian Air Force - They have a multi-mode radar, increased range due to increase in internal fuel capacity, a glass cockpit, more advanced avionics, an arrestor hook for carrier landings, stronger landing gear, folding wings, rust proofing to reduce corrosion from salt water and improved engine protection against ingestion of foreign objects.
The first MiG-29KUB carrier-based fighter developed for the Indian Navy. Photo Credit: Novosti
The aircraft are also capable of buddy refueling, like the Su 30MKIs, giving them a much longer reach.
News Copyright © Sawf News. May not be reproduced without explicit written permission