MiG-29 production takes off in Russia, as Indian carrier trials near end

[SpArK]

MiG-29 production takes off, as Indian carrier trials near end​

RAC MiG is boosting production activities to meet increased demand for its MiG-29 series of combat aircraft, with the design bureau also close to completing a series of aircraft carrier-based trials for India.

Following its receipt of major orders to supply the Indian and Russian navies with its MiG-29K deck fighter and MiG-29KUB trainer, MiG's production partners will complete 24 aircraft in 2012, up from 11 last year. A further dramatic increase is expected, however, with chief executive Sergey Korotkov having indicated that the annual rate may have to grow to 36 units to keep up with demand.

MiG-29K

MiG says it is on track to complete embarked tests with the MiG-29K/KUB aboard the ex-Russian navy vessel the Admiral Gorshkov, which will soon re-enter Indian use as the INS Vikramaditya.

"The testing flights are to be fulfilled before the ship's handing over to the Indian navy, scheduled for December 2012," MiG announced at the show, with the work including using the carrier's "ski jump" ramp.

The service has already received a first batch of 16 aircraft, and will get the first four examples from a follow-on order for 29 more later this year.

Russia's navy will also later field 24 MiG-29K/KUBs with its lone aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov, under a contract signed in February.

While the opportunity to make further sales with the K-series fighter is narrow, Korotkov sees the land-based MiG-29M/M2 as holding great potential. Boasting open-architecture avionics, a new radar and with an expanded range of air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons, the type is already being offered to possible customers.

"We are certain that as per its cost-efficiency ratio, the MiG-29M/M2 is capable to compete with any modern fighter," Korotkov says. "Many countries, who initially had declared a fast-track transition to Western weaponry, after complex analysis have corrected their approaches."

ILA: MiG-29 production takes off, as Indian carrier trials near end

 

[arp2041]

what happened to the report that IN will buy 45 more mig-29ks, is it confirmed??

+ if mig will make 24 k's this year than why IN will get only 4 of them, where will the rest 20 go??

 

[joekrish]

When there is a Might 35 on the shelf why are we going for the 29's or am I missing something?

 

[arp2041]

When there is a Might 35 on the shelf why are we going for the 29's or am I missing something?

Mig-35??? this will be order of mig-29ks for Indian navy, AFAIK mig-35 don't have a naval version & the project will die as there are no orders for it in sight.

 

[sancho]

MiG-29K

Hehe, that's a landbased SMT not a K.

what happened to the report that IN will buy 45 more mig-29ks, is it confirmed??

+ if mig will make 24 k's this year than why IN will get only 4 of them, where will the rest 20 go??

It was nothing but a speculation, not a single hint about that from any official source.
The rest will go to Russian navy, they have ordered 24 as well, which will replace Su33s from their carrier. We need the additional once only, when IAC1 is available, that's why the Russian can get their fighters earlier.

When there is a Might 35 on the shelf why are we going for the 29's or am I missing something?

Mig 35 = Mig 29K + Zhuk AESA, TVC, 2 x more hardpoints

That's it basically and why INs Migs will be pretty much at the same level with the next upgrade.

 

[arp2041]

It was nothing but a speculation, not a single hint about that from any official source.
The rest will go to Russian navy, they have ordered 24 as well, which will replace Su33s from their carrier. We need the additional once only, when IAC1 is available, that's why the Russian can get their fighters earlier.

@sancho, that may be a speculation but i strongly think that IN should go for it & thus have 2 land based squadrons, one on east coast & one on the west + they can act as a backup to the AC based migs.

 

[sancho]

@sancho, that may be a speculation but i strongly think that IN should go for it & thus have 2 land based squadrons, one on east coast & one on the west + they can act as a backup to the AC based migs.

IN has no landbased fighter squads at all, they only base carrier fighters at their land bases for training and reserve reasons, not for operational service, because IAF takes over that role. That's why IAF always operated the maritime attack Jaguars.

 

[arp2041]

IN has no landbased fighter squads at all, they only base carrier fighters at their land bases for training and reserve reasons, not for operational service, because IAF takes over that role. That's why IAF always operated the maritime attack Jaguars.

that's what i m saying it should take all the job of IAF (maritime role) to itself & IAF should focus on land borders only.

btw did u got promotion here?? if yes than congrats bro

 

[sancho]

that's what i m saying it should take all the job of IAF (maritime role) to itself & IAF should focus on land borders only.

btw did u got promotion here?? if yes than congrats bro

With the switch to multi role fighters, most of IAFs fighters will be maritime attack capable, so IAF hardly would divert the role to IN now, with more and more capable fighters for the role.
Thx, 2nd promotion in the last to month and I am the most surprised I guess.

 

[tvsram1992]

Mig 35 = Mig 29K + Zhuk AESA, TVC, 2 x more hardpoints

That's it basically and why INs Migs will be pretty much at the same level with the next upgrade.

But we get Mig35s sooner than next upgrade of Mig29Ks . We cannot expect TVC in Mig29k upgrade .

 

[SQ8]

With the switch to multi role fighters, most of IAFs fighters will be maritime attack capable, so IAF hardly would divert the role to IN now, with more and more capable fighters for the role.
Thx, 2nd promotion in the last to month and I am the most surprised I guess.

That would however bring up the age old issue of inter-service rivalry.. Would the IN be comfortable knowing that it is now capable of handling ASW missions to allow the IAF to take those ATO's from it?

Moreover, with the replacement of the Migs in line with the Rafale.. the Jaguar Fleet would remain the only one with a current arsenal(as in stockpiled currently) dedicated to Anti-Shipping duties.
The Rafale is capable of taking on ASW easily with the AASM and exocet..
But would it need to when the IN has both LUSH Harriers(Sea Eagle), Mig-29K(KH-31,29), P-8(AGM-84 Bk II)?

 

[Capt.Popeye]

That would however bring up the age old issue of inter-service rivalry.. Would the IN be comfortable knowing that it is now capable of handling ASW missions to allow the IAF to take those ATO's from it?

Moreover, with the replacement of the Migs in line with the Rafale.. the Jaguar Fleet would remain the only one with a current arsenal(as in stockpiled currently) dedicated to Anti-Shipping duties.
The Rafale is capable of taking on ASW easily with the AASM and exocet..
But would it need to when the IN has both LUSH Harriers(Sea Eagle), Mig-29K(KH-31,29), P-8(AGM-84 Bk II)?

Turf issues will not go away. The beefing up of IAF's SAC is a pointer towards that. What is now seemingly happening is an 'overlap of capabilities' insofar as Maritime Strike is concerned; IAF's will be entirely shore-based, while IN's will rotate from sea-based to shore-based.

Though IMO, the IM Jaguars will be better off being transferred to the IN. While I do know that the IAF will be loath to do so, much as they are so enamored by that aircraft esp in Lo-Lo-Lo config; after their upgrade the IAF will like to hold the Jags closer to their even chests.

About Rafale, I do not see any Maritime Strike role being assigned to it. Unless the Rafale M makes it into IN service on a CATOBAR carrier?

 

[sancho]

But we get Mig35s sooner than next upgrade of Mig29Ks . We cannot expect TVC in Mig29k upgrade .

Not really, the Zhuk AE is close to be ready, TVC tested for years, the RD 33MK engine is already installed in the Mig 29K, on the otherside there is still no final Mig 35 prototype with the bigger wings and additional hardpoints. Nobody will fund the final test and development stages, while the radar and avionics will be, because they can be used on other Russian fighters as well.

That would however bring up the age old issue of inter-service rivalry.. Would the IN be comfortable knowing that it is now capable of handling ASW missions to allow the IAF to take those ATO's from it?

Moreover, with the replacement of the Migs in line with the Rafale.. the Jaguar Fleet would remain the only one with a current arsenal(as in stockpiled currently) dedicated to Anti-Shipping duties.

That's not correct, the Mig 29 will be upgraded to SMT standard including maritime attack capability with Kh 35, MKI will get air launched Brahmos, which primarily is still an anti ship missile, LCA is likely to get Kh 35 as well because N-LCA might use it from Indian carriers.
I was for IN taking over shorebased maritime attack roles in the past too, but with IAFs modernisations and the increased number of bases in the south and along the coast that are coming, it hardly make sense anymore to be dependent on a few IN fighters.
However, I would integrate them into the maritime attack as well as air defence policies of IAF. If they can protect a CBG against other fighters, why not IN bases or the airspace around us too?

 

[DARKY]

That's not correct, the Mig 29 will be upgraded to SMT standard including maritime attack capability with Kh 35, MKI will get air launched Brahmos, which primarily is still an anti ship missile, LCA is likely to get Kh 35 as well because N-LCA might use it from Indian carriers.
I was for IN taking over shorebased maritime attack roles in the past too, but with IAFs modernisations and the increased number of bases in the south and along the coast that are coming, it hardly make sense anymore to be dependent on a few IN fighters.
However, I would integrate them into the maritime attack as well as air defence policies of IAF. If they can protect a CBG against other fighters, why not IN bases or the airspace around us too?

There's also a Brahmos III or mini Brahmos which can be carried by Medium weight fighters like Mig29 and Rafael.
Su30MKI already has maritime role and are frequently sent on Patrols up the strait of Malacca... There was an incident of some Chinese Destroyer being harassed by them.

Besides that the Navy has been Upgrading Tu-142 plus P-8I for true maritime roles... I am sure as they take time with MRCA aircraft they would have a dedicated fleet for themselves soon... by the time Vikrant enters service.. the MRCA strength of Navy would be anywhere between 90-120... with perhaps next gen. MRCA planes like Rafale, SH etc competing for the Bigger AC.

 

[sancho]

Besides that the Navy has been Upgrading Tu-142 plus P-8I for true maritime roles... I am sure as they take time with MRCA aircraft they would have a dedicated fleet for themselves soon... by the time Vikrant enters service.. the MRCA strength of Navy would be anywhere between 90-120... with perhaps next gen. MRCA planes like Rafale, SH etc competing for the Bigger AC.

We are talking about air defence and maritime attack against enemy fighters and vessels, in the first MPAs like the Tu 142 or P8 have no value and even in the latter they would be at higher risk of beeing intercepted than an MKI with Brahmos, or an Rafale with Scalp.