Indian MiG-29K/KUB test flight onboard the Kuznetsov

[+76.IAP-Blackbird 3,557]

Great pics, more pics are allways better... thank you ;-)

[+ghostrider883 526]

Navy inducts MiG-29Ks

 

VASCO DA GAMA (GOA): The Indian Navy is all set to receive a shot in the arm with the induction of four MiG-29K combat aircraft into its fleet here on Friday.

 

The formal ceremony to induct the MiG-29K ' Air Dominance Fighter' aircraft would take place at INS Hansa, the Indian Navy's premier naval station. With the induction of the advanced aircraft, the Indian Navy would join an elite club of navies across the world who have the MiG-29K aircraft in operation.

 

Talking to media persons on the eve of the induction ceremony, Commander Theophillis, the CO of the newly formed squadron 303 'Black Panthers', described it as a proud moment for the Indian Navy.

 

When asked about the difference between the Sea Harrier, which are currently in operation in the Navy, Theophillis said the MiG-29K would offer a whole lot of other advantages to the navy.

 

"In MiG-29K, the range of target detention is more. Though the Sea Harrier is still a capable aircraft, the MiG-29K is newer and better," he said. "The MiG-29K is more easier and pleasant aircraft to fly," added Captain Surendra Ahuja, commanding officer of INS Hansa.

 

Captain Ahuja also explained that there are lot of differences between the MiG-29 B (Bravo) that the India Air Force (IAF) has been using and the MiG-29K , which is to be inducted into the Indian Navy.

 

The MiG 29K is among the latest and most potent fighters designed by the Mikoyan Gurevich bureau. The MiG-29K is equipped with the air-to-air refueling facility, while this is absent in the MiG-29B, Captain Ahuja said.

 

The IAF's old MiG-29 fighter, which was inducted in the mid eighties, is a third generation pure Air Defence figher, whereas the MiG-29K belongs to the fourth generation, and is capable of fulfilling multiple roles.

 

The new combat aircraft is more than 30 percent heavier than the old MiG-29.The MiG-29 is equipped with anti-aircraft 'Beyond Visual Range Missiles, guided Anti-Ship Missiles, 'smart' guided-bombs and rockets that are more lethal and better than the old MiG-29 K's armaments.

 

It has a folding wing for close parking and reducing ground space, which is an important feature considering the fact that it would deployed on the air craft carrier INS Vikramaditya (formerly Admiral Gorshkov) once it arrives in the later half of 2012.

 

The aircraft also boasts of state-of-the-art sensor suite that includes a very responsive and capable radar. The pilot's helmet is equipped with the 'Topsight-E' Helmet-mounted Display and Sight. This unique feature would enable the pilot to shoot a target, without turning the whole aircraft, by merely looking at it.

 

 

 

 

More 29Ks for the Navy

 

PANAJI: India will order 29 more MiG-29K combat jets for the navy to add to the 16 planes that have already been contracted for, Defence Minister A.K. Antony said Friday.

 

"As per the navy's requirements we will be buying 29 additional fighter aircraft from Russia," Antony told reporters after formally inducting the navy's first four MiG-29Ks.

 

He, however, did not lay down a time frame for signing the fresh contract and the delivery of the additional jets.

 

The four jets inducted Friday will soon be joined by another two that are currently being tested, while 10 more will be recieved in the next few months.

 

These planes will operate from the Dabolim Naval Air Station till the aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov, rechristened INS Vikramaditya, which is currently being refurbished in Russia is commissioned into the Indian Navy around 2012.

 

The additional jets are likely to be deployed both on the Vikramaditya and the indegenous aircraft carrier that is being built at the Cochin Shipyard.

[+ghostrider883 526]

Great pics, more pics are allways better... thank you ;-)

 

Just keep an eye on the serial numbers

MiG-29K - 801, 802, 804

MiG-29KUB - 971, 974

 

should be fairly easy to build a "K" from your "KUB".

[+ghostrider883 526]

A Sea Harrier T.Mk.60 leads in the MiG-29Ks

 

The Black Panthers with their bird.

Edited February 20, 2010 by ghostrider883

[Streakfalcon 57]

Great story, Sorry for my ignorance but i noticed the patches on the uniforms are all in English. Is English spoken during Military briefings?