Russian MiG-29s, Ka-31s and invaluable technical assistance for INS VIKRANT

[Blue_Eyes]

Defence News - Russian MiG-29s, Ka-31s and invaluable technical assistance for INS VIKRANT
The newest air wing of the
Indian aircraft carrier Vikrant will
be composed of the Russian
MiG-29K and MiG-29KUB, as well
as Ka-31 helicopters, RIA Novosti
learned from a senior official at
FSMTC (Federal Service for Military
and Technical Co-Operation) of
Russia.
The aircraft carrier Vikrant is
currently in the final stages of
construction in India.
“The Russian side is actually
providing much needed technical
assistance to its Indian partners
in the creation and development
of their national aircraft carrier,
the Vikrant. On board they expect
to place the aircraft MiG-29 and
Ka-31,” said the spokesperson.
According to him, Russia is also
supplying all necessary aviation
and technical equipment needed
by this ship, and Russian experts
are involved in the development
and adjustment of the technical
documentation for individual
systems.
“In addition, currently, based on
requests received from the
Indian side, Russia is preparing
proposals for the supply of a
number of additional systems
and equipment,” said the
representative of the federal
service.
In 2013, Russia sold India the
modernized aircraft carrier
Vikramaditya (formerly the
“Admiral Gorshkov”), on which
the MiG-29K and MiG-29KUB and
helicopters Ka-28 and Ka-31 are
based.

 

[janon]

The newest air wing of the
Indian aircraft carrier Vikrant will
be composed of the Russian
MiG-29K and MiG-29KUB, as well
as Ka-31 helicopters, RIA Novosti
learned from a senior official at
FSMTC (Federal Service for Military
and Technical Co-Operation) of
Russia.

They just learnt it now? They should have visited PDF or any military site over the past few years.

 

[Blue_Eyes]

They just learnt it now? They should have visited PDF or any military site over the past few years.

lol , my bad even I wasn't aware of this, may be I should search the pdf before posting

 

[Mike_Brando]

They just learnt it now? They should have visited PDF or any military site over the past few years.

Actually it might indicate that the I.N. will place another order of 45 Mig-29K with the Russians.I have heard this from an ex-Naval officer that the I.N. is extremely pleased with the Mig-29K aircraft and is seriously considering to place another order of 45 Mig-29K.Ordering another 45 of these aircraft will seriously boost up the I.N. Naval Arm and will make it virtually invincible in the I.O.R.

 

[janon]

Actually it might indicate that the I.N. will place another order of 45 Mig-29K with the Russians.I have heard this from an ex-Naval officer that the I.N. is extremely pleased with the Mig-29K aircraft and is seriously considering to place another order of 45 Mig-29K.Ordering another 45 of these aircraft will seriously boost up the I.N. Naval Arm and will make it virtually invincible in the I.O.R.

We don't have enough carriers to justify a total of 90 mig-29Ks. I'm pretty sure they will stick with 45, and go for a newer platform on IAC-2 (especially if they get EMALS from USA). Remember, they will also have Tejas-N to fly off from these two carriers.

We will have two carriers that can each carry 20-25 fighters. So 45 Migs and a similar number of Tejas-N seem more than enough.

 

[Mike_Brando]

We don't have enough carriers to justify a total of 90 mig-29Ks. I'm pretty sure they will stick with 45, and go for a newer platform on IAC-2 (especially if they get EMALS from USA). Remember, they will also have Tejas-N to fly off from these two carriers.

We will have two carriers that can each carry 20-25 fighters. So 45 Migs and a similar number of Tejas-N seem more than enough.

Those extra Migs will be used as Strike aircraft replacing the Jaguar IN version.They will be based at some coastal airfield and in case of a future war can effectively used to ensure a complete blockade of the Arabian sea.

 

[sancho]

Those extra Migs will be used as Strike aircraft replacing the Jaguar IN version.

The Jags are in IAF's service, not IN and IAF already has upgraded it's Mig 29s for maritime attack too.

 

[ruby007]

I thought.. tejas Naval version was to be used on Vikrant.

 

[sancho]

I thought.. tejas Naval version was to be used on Vikrant.

They will, alongside the Mig and both will be operated on INS Vikramaditya too.

 

[janon]

Those extra Migs will be used as Strike aircraft replacing the Jaguar IN version.They will be based at some coastal airfield and in case of a future war can effectively used to ensure a complete blockade of the Arabian sea.

Maybe, I don't know. I feel that it would be cheaper and more efficient to have some of the IAF's MKIs dedicated to that role, like they have Jaguar IMs. The navy's aviation wing should be all about carrier aviation. Why purchase navalized fighters to perform coastal defence, when we have so many MKIs with a far greater range and payload? And why train more naval aviators, when the IAF pilots could do it with just some additional training?

 

[Mike_Brando]

Maybe, I don't know. I feel that it would be cheaper and more efficient to have some of the IAF's MKIs dedicated to that role, like they have Jaguar IMs. The navy's aviation wing should be all about carrier aviation. Why purchase navalized fighters to perform coastal defence, when we have so many MKIs with a far greater range and payload? And why train more naval aviators, when the IAF pilots could do it with just some additional training?

The coastal defense of a country(that has a dedicated Naval Aviation) generally rests with the Navy.So,i don't think the I.N. will be encroaching into the I.A.F. territory if they keep dedicated Mig-29K units for coastal defense (coastal defense being the primary role of the I.N.) replacing the Jaguar IN version of the IAF for the role.Beside training more naval aviators will create a pool which be extremely helpful for the I.N. in the near future because after the induction of INS Vishal the I.N. will require more than a 100 trained aviators,so majority of those aviators can be inducted from this pool.

 

[Archie]

I agree

We should order additional Mig29Ks. We should also order another 6-9 Ka-31, since the 9 we have at present are simply not enough for 2 carriers;

My reason for additional Mig29K/Kubs is simple. We have to take into account attritions, which are going to happen, add to that, the entire fleet is never going to be available. at most you are looking at 30-32 aircrafts ready for combat out of 45

IAF had acquired 80 Mig29S between 1986-1990
Now they have around 60 of them. If I take into account a Similar attrition rate for the navy, then by my estimate, Navy would loose 11-12 Mig29K by 2040.

So if the navy wants to avoid a repeat of the INS Viraat type situation, where the ship does not have enough fighters to form a carrier wing. So Navy will have to order additional 20-25 Mig29K, if it wants to ensure that both Vikramaditya and Vikrant have fully loaded carrier wings 25 yrs down the line.

 

[Ind4Ever]

Actually it might indicate that the I.N. will place another order of 45 Mig-29K with the Russians.I have heard this from an ex-Naval officer that the I.N. is extremely pleased with the Mig-29K aircraft and is seriously considering to place another order of 45 Mig-29K.Ordering another 45 of these aircraft will seriously boost up the I.N. Naval Arm and will make it virtually invincible in the I.O.R.

It's worth cashing on Mig29 k/KUB . Awsome improvements from Mig 29. We will use Tejas aswell

I agree

We should order additional Mig29Ks. We should also order another 6-9 Ka-31, since the 9 we have at present are simply not enough for 2 carriers;

My reason for additional Mig29K/Kubs is simple. We have to take into account attritions, which are going to happen, add to that, the entire fleet is never going to be available. at most you are looking at 30-32 aircrafts ready for combat out of 45

IAF had acquired 80 Mig29S between 1986-1990
Now they have around 60 of them. If I take into account a Similar attrition rate for the navy, then by my estimate, Navy would loose 11-12 Mig29K by 2040.

So if the navy wants to avoid a repeat of the INS Viraat type situation, where the ship does not have enough fighters to form a carrier wing. So Navy will have to order additional 20-25 Mig29K, if it wants to ensure that both Vikramaditya and Vikrant have fully loaded carrier wings 25 yrs down the line.

WE will have 15 Helicopters along with 27-30 fighters .

We don't have enough carriers to justify a total of 90 mig-29Ks. I'm pretty sure they will stick with 45, and go for a newer platform on IAC-2 (especially if they get EMALS from USA). Remember, they will also have Tejas-N to fly off from these two carriers.

We will have two carriers that can each carry 20-25 fighters. So 45 Migs and a similar number of Tejas-N seem more than enough.

More migs will be ordered . We will place at strategic bases for reserve. Not to forget new K and KUB series have more range , and less operational cost. So we can use them for coastal defence.

 

[anant_s]

We don't have enough carriers to justify a total of 90 mig-29Ks. I'm pretty sure they will stick with 45, and go for a newer platform on IAC-2 (especially if they get EMALS from USA). Remember, they will also have Tejas-N to fly off from these two carriers.

We will have two carriers that can each carry 20-25 fighters. So 45 Migs and a similar number of Tejas-N seem more than enough.

Yes don't think MiG 29 are in consideration for IAC 2 onwards. While LCA Mk2 Naval versions might be a choice, both Rafale M and naval version of FGFA may operate from larger deck IAC 2. These fighter would be available from early next decade by the time IAC 2 gets ready.

 

[Supply&Demand]

Mig 29 line was restarted specially to cater India's needs.. we should buy the line completely from Russia...