Squadron "Black Panther" will complete the adoption of the MiG-29K / KUB by the middle of 2012 year

The squadron "Black Panther" of the Indian Navy will complete the adoption of the first batch of MiG-29K / KUB fighters ordered in Russia by mid-2012. In the future, the squadron will receive the number "303".
According to the information of the Press Trust of India agency, which refers to the statement of the squadron commander, Commander B. Hota, the delivery of the latest aircraft from the first batch to the 16 vehicles is likely to be completed this month.

Speaking to the media during the press conference on the 50 anniversary of the Navy air base "Khanza", the commander also said that the modern simulator for training pilots MiG-29K will be ready for work in the coming months.

The sea base "Khanza", in addition, is equipped with a simulator to prepare for take-off from a springboard and a coastal test facility (SBTF - shore-based test facility), which is currently available only in the United States and Russia.

As planned, the MiG-29K based on the Khanza base will be put into service on the Vikramaditya aircraft carrier after its transfer to the Indian Navy at the end of next year.

According to the leadership of the Indian Navy, the MiG-29K is one of the most versatile deck fighter aircraft aviation The world.

The MoD of India signed a contract for the purchase of the MiG-16K fighter jets, including the 29 two-seater MiG-4KUB combat training aircraft, in January 29 under the agreement on the transfer and modernization of the aircraft carrier Cruiser Admiral Gorshkov.

During the solemn ceremony held on February 19 of the year at the Hanza Air Force Base, in the presence of Arakkarambil Kurian Anthony, Defense Minister of the Indian Navy, the first four carrier-based MiG-XNUMHKUB fighters were commissioned. The event was attended by Viktor Khristenko, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, who led the Russian delegation.

In the framework of the visit of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to India 12 in March 2010, a contract was signed for the delivery of a second batch of MiN-29K fighter jets from 29. Deliveries are scheduled to begin with 2012. The contract value is 1,5 billion dollars. From the new party in 29 fighters MiG-29K 16 aircraft will be based on the aircraft carrier Vikramaditya.

As part of the procurement program for MiG-29K / KUB carrier-based fighters, the Indian Navy in April 2009 opened a technical center on the territory of the Hanza naval base in Goa, which will provide aircraft support as well as pilot training.

The MiG-29K shipboard fighter belongs to the 4 ++ generation and is capable of performing a wide range of tasks at any time of the day and in adverse weather conditions, including winning air supremacy, a ship’s air defense, and defeating surface and ground targets. The armament of the MiG-29K includes missiles capable of hitting targets outside the direct line of sight, guided anti-ship missiles, unguided missiles, bombs and an 30-mm cannon.

MiG-29K has improved technical and operational characteristics, increased reliability. Aircraft avionics are built on the principle of open architecture.

The aircraft features an improved airframe, the manufacture of which used composite materials, low radar visibility and increased combat load, fuel tanks of increased capacity and in-flight refueling system, a modified wing folding system, a digital radio remote control system with fourfold redundancy.

Deck MiG-29K for landing on an aircraft carrier equipped with a locking mechanism and a reinforced chassis, folding wings and a special coating that prevents corrosion from seawater.

Comments

[figwam]

Well, they would have taken another instant-35, it would be more convenient for pilots to learn technology because of the similarity of aircraft, for the most part the same parts.

[Marat]

Of course - from a practical point of view, they didn’t even have to announce a tender - to bargain a little for the price and automatically take the 35th.
The reasons for the tender, etc. are purely political — the desire to diversify the dependence on the supplier’s country (you know, the spare part is serviced by the purchase, etc. - you are dependent on who bought it) at the moment. I do not know for sure - but I strongly suspect that they fear the possible indecision of Russia in the event of their conflict with China. After all, China for Russia is almost an ally in opposing the United States. Perhaps curtsies towards Europe are connected with this.

The second possible reason is Rosoboronprom's flaws in the execution of Indian contracts - fear of dependence on an "unreliable supplier"

But in the long run In the most important strategic areas, the Indians go along with Russia - and a 5th generation fighter (and this has been their fleet for decades - after all, the 35th transition phase - there is no 5th generation yet) and hypersonic weapons are made together with Russia.

Such a level of trust and cooperation is possible only between truly close and trusting states.

[Torus]

The aircraft is good enough as a deck. It seems to me that he can compete on an equal footing with the same F / A-18.
It would be advisable to purchase them for your AB!