03-09-2008, 07:12 PM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>India, Russia ink MiG-29 upgrade deal</b>
NEW DELHI: Faced with a declining aerial combat edge against Pakistan, which is getting spanking new F-16s from US, India on Friday signed a huge $960 million (Rs 3,840 crore) contract with Russia to upgrade its five squadrons of MiG-29 fighters inducted in mid-1980s.
<b>The upgrade of the 69 Indian MiG-29s , apart from extending their life from the present 25 years (2,500 flight hours) to 40 years (3,500 hours), will turn these air-superiority fighters into far more lethal all-weather multi-role jets.</b>
<b>"They will also be capable of beyond-visual-range combat,"</b> said a senior officer, adding that while the first six MiG-29s will be upgraded in Russia, the rest will be retrofitted at the IAF base repair depot at Nashik.
The upgrade, expected to be completed within three years, will include the advanced multi-functional Zhuk-ME radar and a new weapon control system. "The package will include state-of-the-art avionics and cockpit ergonomics, as also fuel capacity increase. Some sub-systems will be sourced from Israel," he said.
The upgraded twin-engined MiG-29s will also have sophisticated air-to-air missiles, high-accuracy air-to-ground missiles and 'smart aerial' bombs.
The Russian RAC MiG company, on its part, will plough back 30% of the contract value into India by setting up MiG consignment depots and service centres, along with simulator centres with training aids.
With the number of its fighter squadrons (each has 12 to 18 jets) dipping below 30 for the first time, IAF is obviously worried that it's nowhere near even its sanctioned strength of 39.5 squadrons.
This when IAF has identified a requirement of 44 squadrons to meet the 'possible contingency' of 'a full conflict' with Pakistan and 'a dissuasive posture' against China. A simultaneous conflict with Pakistan and China, with the capability to hold Pakistan and defend against China, will require 55 squadrons.
The previous IAF chief, Air Chief Marshal S P Tyagi, in fact, had warned the government that "unless immediate steps are taken to arrest the reduction in IAF's force levels, the nation will for the first time in its history lose the conventional military edge over Pakistan."
With Pakistan gearing up to induct 36 more F-16s, coupled with its plans to induct as many as 250 JF-17 'Thunder' fighters from China, IAF is making up its shortfalls through new inductions as well as upgrades in its existing MiG, Jaguar and Mirage-2000 fleets to enhance their combat potential.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
NEW DELHI: Faced with a declining aerial combat edge against Pakistan, which is getting spanking new F-16s from US, India on Friday signed a huge $960 million (Rs 3,840 crore) contract with Russia to upgrade its five squadrons of MiG-29 fighters inducted in mid-1980s.
<b>The upgrade of the 69 Indian MiG-29s , apart from extending their life from the present 25 years (2,500 flight hours) to 40 years (3,500 hours), will turn these air-superiority fighters into far more lethal all-weather multi-role jets.</b>
<b>"They will also be capable of beyond-visual-range combat,"</b> said a senior officer, adding that while the first six MiG-29s will be upgraded in Russia, the rest will be retrofitted at the IAF base repair depot at Nashik.
The upgrade, expected to be completed within three years, will include the advanced multi-functional Zhuk-ME radar and a new weapon control system. "The package will include state-of-the-art avionics and cockpit ergonomics, as also fuel capacity increase. Some sub-systems will be sourced from Israel," he said.
The upgraded twin-engined MiG-29s will also have sophisticated air-to-air missiles, high-accuracy air-to-ground missiles and 'smart aerial' bombs.
The Russian RAC MiG company, on its part, will plough back 30% of the contract value into India by setting up MiG consignment depots and service centres, along with simulator centres with training aids.
With the number of its fighter squadrons (each has 12 to 18 jets) dipping below 30 for the first time, IAF is obviously worried that it's nowhere near even its sanctioned strength of 39.5 squadrons.
This when IAF has identified a requirement of 44 squadrons to meet the 'possible contingency' of 'a full conflict' with Pakistan and 'a dissuasive posture' against China. A simultaneous conflict with Pakistan and China, with the capability to hold Pakistan and defend against China, will require 55 squadrons.
The previous IAF chief, Air Chief Marshal S P Tyagi, in fact, had warned the government that "unless immediate steps are taken to arrest the reduction in IAF's force levels, the nation will for the first time in its history lose the conventional military edge over Pakistan."
With Pakistan gearing up to induct 36 more F-16s, coupled with its plans to induct as many as 250 JF-17 'Thunder' fighters from China, IAF is making up its shortfalls through new inductions as well as upgrades in its existing MiG, Jaguar and Mirage-2000 fleets to enhance their combat potential.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->