INS Vikramaditya starts sea trials

[JediMaster 451]

I guess that video was a touch and go as I didn't see a hook down let alone a wire caught.

 

I remember trying to land the MiG-29K on the Kuznetsov in LOMAC 2.5...easier than the Su-33, but not by much!

[+ghostrider883 526]

Notice the two different stores configurations on the two MiGs.

 

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=owhUT4MN2Hg

Edited September 3, 2012 by ghostrider883

[JediMaster 451]

Wow, those flaps have had their size massively increased. I wonder how much that lowered the approach speed compared to the earlier K.

[+ghostrider883 526]

A glimpse of flights ops on the Vikramaditya...

[JediMaster 451]

I didn't think it was possible but they made Vikramaditya sound Russian! Maybe it would be spelled Wekramaditye?

[+ghostrider883 526]

So far, Sea Trials have been successful and  the ship is  on course to be delivered to the Indian Navy by November-December this year .

 

Night landing on the Vikramaditya, Sep 13, 2013:

 

Misc pics from the on going sea trials

 

 

[+russouk2004 6,958]

Now all we need is ramp take offs enebled in SF2 and we are away..my Indian Navy 29K gets a home. :)

[JediMaster 451]

That may be the first pic I've seen of a 29 at night with the slime lights on.

[+ghostrider883 526]

[+76.IAP-Blackbird 3,557]

Cant wait to get my hands on Ravenclaws MiG`s in 2014

[future_tuskegee_airman 13]

That is such low freeboard it's scary! Are there any plans of putting the naval version of the Rafales on their carriers?

[+ghostrider883 526]

The Indian Navy commissioned the 44,520 tonne INS Vikramaditya(R33) on 16 November 2013. Her CO is Commodore Suraj Berry and she will soon begin her 60 day Journey to India. Can't wait to see IN MiG-29Ks, Helixs and  Sea Kings on her deck.

 

Air Wing Squadron crests(left to right):

INAS 333 "Eagles" operating Ka-28

INAS 339 'Falcons" operating Ka-31

INAS 303 "Black Panthers" operating MiG-29K/KUB

INS Vikramaditya Crest

IN Crest

INS Vikramaditya Crest

INAS 300 "White Tigers" operating Sea Harrier FRS.51/T.Mk.60

INAS 330 "Harpoons" operating Sea King Mk42B.

INAS 321 "Angels" operating HAL Chetak(Alouette III)

 

Two IN warships and possibly a submarine will join her as escorts.

 

 

The ship's motto in Sanskrit is "Durakshya Saralakshya" - Strike far, Strike Sure

 

 

 

Edited November 17, 2013 by ghostrider883

[+CrazyhorseB34 937]

What a waste and a rip-off. The USA was going to GIVE India the Kittyhawk if they bought the Super Hornet. Now they are stuck with a garbage scow with junk jets. So sad.

[Stratos 3,192]

What a waste and a rip-off. The USA was going to GIVE India the Kittyhawk if they bought the Super Hornet. Now they are stuck with a garbage scow with junk jets. So sad.

 

And a lifetime dependancy on US spare parts for both the carrier and the jet, and that includes the "non attack anybody we like or all your jets will be spare less in no time". I'm pretty sure India will learn a lot from that carrier, US gifts are always a bit poisoned.

[+CrazyhorseB34 937]

No better friend, no worst enemy. Our gifts may be poison but at least they work as advertised.

[+ghostrider883 526]

No better friend, no worst enemy. Our gifts may be poison but at least they work as advertised.

 

Inspite of knowing the truth about the 65, 71 & 99 Indo-Pak wars, the US chose to impose sanctions on India. The LCA Tejas Project was  almost crippled because of US sanctions, the Sea King fleet too was gounded because of sanctions.  

 

In case we go to war with Pakis tomorrow, can  the Air Force or the Navy afford to have its fighter fleet grounded because of US sanctions? Our country won the 65, 71 & 99 wars using  Russian, British & French equipment, to us they are reliable enough in battle and worked as advertised.

 

MiG-29K, junk jets? like the Su-30MKI, it too is a capable multirole fighter...they should be more than a match for our adversaries.

[Stratos 3,192]

No better friend, no worst enemy. Our gifts may be poison but at least they work as advertised.

 

I'm not saying the US jets don't work as advertised, BUT that US can left entire fleets grounded by lack of spare parts, majors inspections... What country wants this?

[+Gepard 11,323]

Good luck to crew and ship. Or how we say in german language: "Immer eine Handbreit Wasser unter dem Kiel!"

[macelena 1,070]

I understand the point of view of the Indians not buying the US package in terms of: they don´t want to be neither better friends nor worse enemy. If such an offer went to a NATO ally, it would be worth considering, but they already made their point through their whole history, they play their side. If i had the Damocles sword hanging like they do, i would probably do the same.

 

Besides, that makes good for a what if campaign with SF2NA. It would be too weird to have a Nimitz class vs the kitty, both launching SuperHornets at each other.

[+CrazyhorseB34 937]

That was then this is now. In the Cold War India was way too close to the Soviet Union and China. The Pakis chose to side with us but lost because they did and do have an inferior military. Simple fact the Indians are just better at the war business. My money is always on India to be in it to win it.

 

In today's world I would rather rely on the USA for spares than Russia, China, or France. In today's world Pakistan is the real thing that keeps people in the DOD up at night. We have to prop up the Pak military to keep it from turning into Iran Jr. Not because the USA has a grudge against India.

 

To add to the MiG-29K debate, I am afraid the F/A-18F is much more capable than that thing. Plus an F/A-18F purchase would undoubtedly lead to F-35C. Who would not want a REAL CV with the worlds most advanced Strike fighter? You can settle for junk in the short term or do it right from the start. MiG-29's biggest flaw is limited range. Reason why the Soviets went with the Su-33 years ago. India has a strong air force with a lot of good jets but IMHO MiG-29K is the weak link. But if the intent is just for something to replace SHARs with then does not the navalised TEJAS do that better?

 

What India should have done is scrap the Russian carrier idea. Buy the E/F Super Hornet along with the refurbished Kittyhawk. Add Rafale M to the Rafale order. Then be in a winning position to purchase F-35. Instead the Indian Navy has doomed it's self to being obsolete from the beginning.

 

Good luck with it.

Edited November 18, 2013 by CrazyhorseB34

[macelena 1,070]

I agree with what you say, but if i may point something, Pakistan turning like Iran would make the Ayatollahs look like sissies. they may not have such a control over sea lanes or Tomcats, but they have Nukes, the ability to blockade Afghanistan...that´s why you can´t thread with them, and supporting India is kind of counterproductive in that matter. Probably the Indians made you a favor by not taking that support, i would totally see Pak going the other way.

 

It is unfair not to support somebody because you distrust his enemy, but at this point, it may even be practical.

[fallenphoenix1986 603]

You do know that the current incarnation of the Mig 29K has about as much in common with the original Mig-29K as the F/A-18F has in common with the F/A-18A?  It is not the same bird the Soviets rejected 20 something years ago. As far as a refurbed Kittyhawk my personal opinion is that they should have just focused on building their own flat tops from word go, first one will be ready only a few years behind the Gorshkov/Vikramaditya - could have saved themselves a few billion right there.

 

Craig

[+Gepard 11,323]

 In the Cold War India was way too close to the Soviet Union and China.

 

 

Change China with France. India and China were hostile. They had had their own little war in Himalaya, somewhere in the 60th.

Pakistan became an ally of China, because both states are enemies of India.

[JediMaster 451]

The Russians are replacing Su-33s with "new" MiG-29Ks, based on the work paid for by India.

 

Remember the biggest problem with the 33 is it's too big for that carrier. In order to take off with any sort of weapons load it has barely any fuel...and no AAR assets available. The 29K will allow a fighter to be launched that packs a punch AND has the legs to do more than re-enter the pattern.

[+CrazyhorseB34 937]

Gepard, thank you for the correction. I was aware of the Sino-Indian tensions through out the Cold War, I just misspoke and lumped them in with the Soviets.