MiG-27ML: Indian detective story with far-reaching consequences
Now we will begin a detective story with a sequel. It happens that you take a topic, start delving into it, and then something like this comes out into the light... That’s exactly what happened with this history, it’s just that some inconsistencies and non-convergence of files forced me to dig up the history, and then off we go.
Probably, many will be interested in what the relationship is between the Indian MiG-27 and the new residential complexes in the very near Moscow region - but there is one! Only between the houses there will still be stormtroopers, Tanks and helicopters. In assortment. And in the end, we will try to get an answer to the question of how many tanks and helicopters need NOT be built in order to end up with a residential complex near Moscow.
Но обо всем по порядку.
And we will start with the MiG-27. More precisely, the MiG-27M, since it was this modification that became exported and went to the Indian Air Force. Having bought a decent batch of MiG-80BN in the early 23s, the Indians, having understood the delights of Mikoyan’s machines, decided to purchase more advanced and versatile MiG-27s.
Naturally, the deal provided for licensed production of aircraft in India.
On our part, the Irkutsk Aviation Plant became the contractor, because the plant in Ulan-Ude was inundated with orders and could not cope with the volumes. And the first batch of aircraft for India was assembled in Irkutsk. The modification was called MiG-27ML, and it differed from the original in a simplified set of weapons and state identification system transponders. In India, aircraft began to be assembled in the city of Nasik from Soviet vehicle kits, and so the first batch of 50 aircraft was assembled. On January 11, 1986, the first MiG-27ML, assembled in India, took to the skies. And since 1988, the production of aircraft made from components produced directly in India began.
The plane, as they say, “has landed.” Indian pilots gave him the name "Bahadur", that is, "Brave". The MiG-27ML was produced until 1996 and a total of 150 aircraft were manufactured in India. Plus another 60 aircraft were supplied from the USSR, both as kits and in assembled form.
You need to understand that the Indians liked the MiG-27 so much because they had decent experience in operating the MiG-23B, on the basis of which the MiG-27 was created. And in general, the Mikoyanites produced a very effective fighter-bomber. And this was not a modification, it was a very large job of reworking the aircraft, as a result of which a new model appeared.
The changes even affected the airframe. The system of controlled air intakes was removed, the design of the chassis was changed, strengthening it, the parking position became almost horizontal, which had a positive effect on taxiing and takeoff.
But the most global changes affected avionics. The PrNK-23 sighting and navigation system was installed, built on the basis of the Orbita-20 on-board digital computer, which was modern at that time. The complex also included: the KN-23 navigation complex, the S-17VG sighting head and the Fon laser rangefinder. The prNK provided automatic flight along the route with a return to the departure airfield or three alternate airfields, pre-landing maneuver, bombing beyond visual range of the ground - eleven tasks in total.
Instead of the GSh-23L cannon, they decided to install a ship monster, AO-18 from the AK-630 naval gun mount, following the example of the Americans (hello, “Warthog”!). The six-barreled 30mm machine gun required reinforcement of the airframe. Plus, the number of suspension units was increased, bringing them to seven. The aircraft could carry both bombs and various air-to-surface and air-to-air missiles. The weapons were controlled by the SUV-2 system.
We must understand that time passed inexorably, and the moment was approaching when it was necessary to think about modernizing aircraft to maintain their combat effectiveness. This is a normal practice in the world. In general, the Indian military liked the MiG-27ML; the complaints were mainly related to the fact that the modern aircraft at that time carried a very poor range of weapons. In general, this was true; the export versions of the MiG-27 were indeed somewhat “lean” in terms of missiles and adjustable bombs.
The Russian side tried to eliminate the current situation by proposing to equip the MiG-27ML with Kh-31P and R-73 missiles. Issues of equipping with more modern bombs, including adjustable ones, were considered.
But a peculiar situation has arisen here. The Mikoyan Design Bureau and the Irkutsk Aviation Plant... asked the Indian side for money! On our side, it was believed that in the conditions of economic independence caused by the change of system in Russia, work on the installation and adaptation of new types of weapons, including container electronic warfare stations, should be financed by the customer.
But on the Indian side they were not ready for such a turn of events. The Soviet Union did not require its clients to invest financially in development, thereby spoiling buyers a little. Therefore, Indian clients began to look around in the hope of finding where they could get cheaper and more interesting service. And together with Russian companies, those wishing to modernize the MiG-27ML appeared from France, Germany and Israel.
The Indians had very serious desires. I wanted to get a new “friend or foe” transponder for the MiG-27, new radio stations, a radar radiation warning system, and even with automatic jamming, a digital HUD and a combined satellite navigation system that would work from both Russian and American satellites. From the Russian side, in addition to weapons, they wanted to receive an in-flight refueling system, a new radar, a new OLS and an interface system so that all this equipment could function without causing conflicts.
The Russian enterprise Fazotron-NIIR proposed to equip the Indian MiG-27ML with the Komar container radar, a lightweight version of the Spear radar, which was used in the modernization of the Indian MiG-21. This would make the aircraft all-weather regardless of the time of day.
Well, the icing on the cake was supposed to be a powerful air conditioner and night vision goggles for the pilot, plus a container with reconnaissance equipment from the British company Vinten VICON 18.
And everything was just fine until the other side, in the West, issued an invoice. Then the Indians realized that realities do not always correspond to promises, and prices can suddenly rise to the skies. In general, the Indians abruptly refused to cooperate with Western suppliers and dances continued only with Russian partners. In general, Indian representatives agreed to modernizations that would allow the MiGs to last until 2010.
In the early 2000s, the remaining MiG-27MLs in service underwent modernization and received the designation MIG-27UPG. Modernization was carried out in a limited form and mainly concerned the capabilities of using high-precision weapons and conducting electronic warfare.
As representatives of the Indian Ministry of Defense stated, using national competencies and for completely reasonable sums, Indian industry specialists were able to bring aircraft from the seventies up to the modern level.
But in reality, everything was somewhat different. Of course, modernization was done by Russian brains. Yes, the MiG-27 has undergone very significant changes, less than half of the control systems remained from the original design, and the mechanical component was almost completely removed. Replaced with more modern avionics components.
Moreover, the principle “I molded him from what was” was sacredly observed. It’s a paradox, but when modernizing the Mikoyan Design Bureau aircraft, components from Sukhoi Design Bureau aircraft were easily used, specifically from the Su-30MKI, developed for India. The aircraft now has an integrated flight and weapons control system, IFWCS. Next, the MiGs received new electronic warfare equipment, communication systems, a radio altimeter and an inertial navigation system adjusted by satellite signals. The pilot now has a moving map of the area on his multifunctional device.
In addition, after modernization, the MiG-27 was able to use laser-guided missiles and bombs. Moreover, not only Russian FAB-250 and FAB-500, but also their imported analogues such as KAB “Griffin”.
The Indians have worked very hard on the software, creating a new kit for the MiG-27UPG. New algorithms for navigation, calculating the range and flight path of weapons after release, automatic flight along turning points of the route in the memory of the on-board computer and interfacing the operation of all equipment, including equipment in hanging containers: Israeli Litening from Rafael and British Vinten Vicon 18 .
As part of the modernization program, 2007 aircraft were modernized until 125. In general, the Indian command was satisfied with the progress of the work. Moreover, in 2006, at the Farnborough Air Show, the general director of MMPP Salyut announced plans to modernize the MiG-27 of the Indian Air Force.
As part of the overhaul, it was planned to replace the R-29B-300 engines with the AL-31F, which develops greater thrust (12300 kgf versus 11300 kgf), is 200 kg lighter and 15% more economical.
Salyut even produced a full-size mock-up of the AL-31F for installation on the MiG-27M, and before the end of the year it was rolled into a mock-up aircraft. A pleasant surprise was that minimal modifications to the airframe for the engine were required. From December 2007 to February 2008, flight tests of the MiG-27M with the AL-31F engine took place.
Minimal modifications to the airframe's power elements were required. Then three more motors were assembled for various types of tests. Flight tests of the modernized MiG-27M No. 115 were carried out from December 20, 2007 to February 18, 2008. 10 flights lasting more than one hour were made. Tests have shown that the aircraft has become more efficient in terms of achieving maximum speed, combat maneuverability and climb rate. Even the prospect of cruising flight at supersonic speed without the use of engine afterburner loomed.
The electronics of the modernized MiG-27M were also planned to be thoroughly shaken up. It was planned to install an optimized version of the Platan sighting system with the Su-34 or a modern version of the Kaira. All this promised to make the MiG-27M a very promising attack aircraft that could surpass all existing single-engine analogues such as the F-16 and Gripen when operating against ground targets.
For the Indian Air Force, it was generally very tempting to unify two types of aircraft, the MiG-27 attack aircraft and the Su-30MKI fighter in terms of power plant and on-board systems. This would make it possible to build logistics more efficiently, not only in terms of delivering everything necessary to service the aircraft, but also to simplify the maintenance procedure itself, both from a logistics point of view and in terms of education and training of technical personnel.
Fast, brutal and merciless - this is how one of its pilots, Anshuman Mainkar, who both flew and fought on the Bahadur, described the MiG-27.
“In my opinion, this is the only fighter aircraft where an engine explosion is a standard aircraft emergency.”
What's the worst thing about the MiG-27?
While considered one of the most powerful single-engine fighters in the world, it had several powerplant problems, but these were also due to age, engine model, and maintenance issues. In my opinion, this is the only fighter in which an engine explosion is a standard aircraft emergency.
But the real problem was the air conditioning, which only worked after 6000 feet. At low altitudes, temperatures like “hot/hotter/inferno”, as they are affectionately called in the Indian Air Force, did not provide much respite to the pilot.
Tell me something I don't know about the plane? Did you know that it wobbles along its longitudinal axis (nose to tail) at high speeds with maximum sweep, especially at low altitudes? Reminds me of the flight of a bullet.
How fast was the MiG-27?
The rate of climb is decent.
Top speed at low altitude – I crossed 1100 km/h.
The maximum speed is at a high level - at an altitude of 10 km I went behind the sound.
Is it better to avoid or defeat the F-16? The MiG-27, being an attack aircraft, will most likely be escorted into enemy territory. However, if it had to fight an F-16, the ideal choice would be to maneuver defensively toward a quick escape at low altitude. This is how close combat is in general: you either dominate or run away. However, I found the Su-30 to be complex, versatile and dominant in almost any situation.
What do I like most about the MiG-27 and why? Chassis. Designed like a piece of art and durable too. My main advice to anyone who has boarded the Bahadur is to respect him and he will treat you right.
But the workload for the pilot was very high. The main effect was the lack of modern HUD and other convenient gizmos. In general, in today's era one cannot expect much from them. But their systems were well designed, and it was an attack pilot's dream for its time. It delivered the payload well to the point of use.
What's the biggest airplane myth? Low reliability. True, they required maintenance, but other than the engine, they behaved and performed relatively well, considering the analogue systems and equipment on board. The Russians built good planes.
What's the worst thing about the MiG-27?
While considered one of the most powerful single-engine fighters in the world, it had several powerplant problems, but these were also due to age, engine model, and maintenance issues. In my opinion, this is the only fighter in which an engine explosion is a standard aircraft emergency.
But the real problem was the air conditioning, which only worked after 6000 feet. At low altitudes, temperatures like “hot/hotter/inferno”, as they are affectionately called in the Indian Air Force, did not provide much respite to the pilot.
Tell me something I don't know about the plane? Did you know that it wobbles along its longitudinal axis (nose to tail) at high speeds with maximum sweep, especially at low altitudes? Reminds me of the flight of a bullet.
How fast was the MiG-27?
The rate of climb is decent.
Top speed at low altitude – I crossed 1100 km/h.
The maximum speed is at a high level - at an altitude of 10 km I went behind the sound.
Is it better to avoid or defeat the F-16? The MiG-27, being an attack aircraft, will most likely be escorted into enemy territory. However, if it had to fight an F-16, the ideal choice would be to maneuver defensively toward a quick escape at low altitude. This is how close combat is in general: you either dominate or run away. However, I found the Su-30 to be complex, versatile and dominant in almost any situation.
What do I like most about the MiG-27 and why? Chassis. Designed like a piece of art and durable too. My main advice to anyone who has boarded the Bahadur is to respect him and he will treat you right.
But the workload for the pilot was very high. The main effect was the lack of modern HUD and other convenient gizmos. In general, in today's era one cannot expect much from them. But their systems were well designed, and it was an attack pilot's dream for its time. It delivered the payload well to the point of use.
What's the biggest airplane myth? Low reliability. True, they required maintenance, but other than the engine, they behaved and performed relatively well, considering the analogue systems and equipment on board. The Russians built good planes.
This is an opinion from a pilot who flew and fought in the MiG-27ML for a very long time.
If you don’t pick on words, then the MiG-27 is a pretty decent attack aircraft. And the fact that they wanted to extend his service in the Indian Air Force is quite natural, given the decent service life of the airframe and the possibility of replacing the engines with more modern ones.
However, the Indian Air Force later announced its intention to retire most of the MiG-2017 fleet by 27. The reason for this decision was the military’s assessment that almost half of the MiG-27 fleet will exhaust its service life by 2015 and simply will not be able to fly.
But work, despite such statements, did not stop. At the end of 2011, tests of the electronic warfare system for the MiG-27 were completed, and this system was planned for installation on the Indian MiG-29 and Tejas. The system proposed for the aircraft was Indian, but with obvious Russian roots.
The Bahadurs modernized in this way were planned to remain in service at least until 2020, and then - as practice will show, because in the Indian Air Force the MiG-27 was notable for its accident rate.
Well, we know the result.
On December 27, 2019, the 29th Squadron of the Indian Air Force "Scorpions" flew their MiG-27ML (UPG) for the last time over their airbase at Jhpura. The Indian Air Force's MiG-27 completed its service today after 35 years.
Almost simultaneously (actually a little earlier) with the MiG-21, which served India for 60 years. But this is perhaps a completely different story.
But the MiG-27, which could well still serve, for which a new engine had already been tested, for which a new electronic warfare system and a new set of avionics were ready, it was removed, and the removal began not yesterday, but in 2016.
Alas, the Indian side had a lot of complaints against their Russian colleagues. The big problem was that the Russian Air Force/VKS abandoned the use of the MiG-27 due to lack of funds back in 1993.
But after 20 years, problems began to arise. The Indian side generally had many complaints against the Russian side, namely in terms of the fact that Russian enterprises were unable to provide Indian partners with the proper range of spare parts and the proper quality. And yes, Indian aviation engineers had to cannibalize because spare parts and components stopped coming from Russia.
In the press of that time there were many complaints against Rosoboronexport in general and RSK MiG, OJSC LazerService, KOMZ named after Zverev and many other enterprises that simply could not provide proper aircraft maintenance.
It would seem - what, extra money? India paid for military equipment regularly, representatives of this country, just before Covid, very carefully toured all our factories (here is a photo from a visit to the Krasnogorsk OMZ), where they got acquainted with the entire range of products and made certain conclusions. There are no guillemots, no thermal imagers, no spare parts, and the ending is already known: after the MiG-27, the MiG-21 went into retirement, the MiG-29K is next, but the situation there is much more complicated.
Why did this happen, why did our factories with such a history of developments fail to cope with Indian orders - on the one hand, what difference does it make now, on the other - the question is what will happen next.
So to be continued.
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