RSK MiG has signed an $888 million deal with the Indian defence ministry to upgrade the country's air force’s fleet of 67 MiG-29s, Indo-Asian News Service is reporting.
The Indian air force has been studying fighter fleet modernisation for several years and has considered various options. The deal is understood to have received financial approval from the Indian government in its 2006-7 budget.
"The programme is part of the Indian air force's long-term plan to modernise its fighter fleet with the aim of expanding its strategic reach, firepower and area of responsibility over the next decade as India's burgeoning economy and regional importance proliferate," an air force source says.
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| Indian Mig-29 pictured at Yelahanka air base, Bangalore early last year |
It is unclear which upgrade the deal covers, with the MiG-29SMT configuration developed for Malaysia one option or the MiG-29MRCA including Phazotron-NIIR's Kopyo or Zhuk-M radar also considered likely. Any upgrade would take place over the next four years and extend the life of the aircraft by around 15 years. The MiG-29s will also be upgraded for in-flight refuelling.
RSK MiG is also offering a MiG-35 development of the MiG-29 to meet India’s 126 aircraft lightweight fighter contest (Flight International 6-12 December 2005).
The air force is currently upgrading 125 MiG-21s and 40 MiG-27ML fighters with combat avionics, with work carried out in the air force's maintenance centre at Nasik air base in western India by state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics. Around 94 of 125 MiG-21s have been upgraded to the MiG 21 Bison standard, with the remaining 29 jets to be modernised by the end of the year.
Source: Flight International
