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"The induction of the MiG-29 fighters into
the naval inventory fulfills its long-standing
requirement. I am sure that it will prove to be
a milestone in building the navy's capabilities,"
Defence Minister A.K. Antony said at the induction
ceremony on Feb 19th of the fourth generation
jets that will soon be joined by another 12.
"Despite delays, I must compliment (manufacturer)
RAC MiG for completing the project. The navy will
commence flying operations with these machines
to their prescribed limits, train the crew, establish
doctrines and be fully ready for operations as
soon as she (Vikramaditya) is commissioned."
Indian Navy chief Admiral Nirmal Verma said the
MiG-29s would augment the force's combat capability.
"We are reshaping our procedures at sea
and expanding the role of naval forces,"
he added.
Captain Surendra Ahuja, the commanding officer
of the shore-based INS Hansa from where the MiG-29s
would initially operate, said the jets would enable
a quantum leap in the navy's aerial combat capabilities.
"Our air fighting capabilities will be
increased by 60-70 percent," he told IANS.
Till now, the navy had been flying the Sea Harrier
jet from its lone aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.
Purchased in 1980s, only 11 jets are in service:
eight for operational purposes and three for training.
While the navy's has contracted for 16 Mig-29s
from Russia, Defence Minister A.K. Antony announced
that another 29 would also be purchased.
The jets were purchased by the Indian Navy as
part of a $1.5 billion deal signed with Russia
in January 2004 for the aircraft carrier. Of this,
$740 million was meant for the jets and the balance
for refitting the carrier. The Russians have now
upped the price to between $2.2 billion and $2.9
billion and negotiations are currently under way
on this.
Of the 16 jets, 12 will be single-seaters and
four will be twin-seater trainers.
The navy has named its MiG-29K squadron the "Black
Panthers".
The contract for the jets also provides for hardware
for pilot training and aircraft maintenance, including
flight simulators and interactive ground and sea-based
training systems, as also a full mission simulator.
Some 16 Indian Navy pilots were sent to the US
for deck-landing training, while qualified flying
instructors (QFIs) were sent to Russia for conversion
flying. The pilots will undergo conversion flying
in Goa under the supervision of the QFIs.
The MiG-29s feature a fully digitised glass cockpit,
improved engine protection against ingestion of
foreign particles like birds, a multi-mode radar
and increased range.
The MiG-29s will provide aerial cover to the
carrier's battle group, acquire air superiority
and destroy sea-borne and ground-based targets
with guided high-precision weapons during the
day and at night and in all weather conditions.
The combat jets will also be capable of operating
as midair refuellers.
(IANS)
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