Indian Navy news and discussion

[Arun_S]

[quote name='Gagan' date='20 February 2010 - 02:22 PM' timestamp='1266655498' post='104392']

Is this complement 16+29 for the ADS and Vikramaditya only?



I suppose the proposal for the sea gripen, sea typhoon, Shornet is for the follow on carrier?

[/quote]



I hope not.

IN should hold enough panes for Vikramaditya. Mig29K line will be shut down if Russia loses to get significant part of IAF's 126 aircraft MRCA order.



No one yet knows of Mig29K's serviceability record, having these excess craft in hand allows the ship based availability to be very high. I guess that is one of the lessons learnt from the British Harriers and Westlands fiasco of last 25 years.



Also this allows Vikramaditya to operate in a mode where the on board aircrafts operate beyond operational radius by operating in ferry mode. So these excess land based Mig29K will be handy.





ADS aircrafts will be acquired when it gets close to completion. I think it will host a bigger aircraft squadron on board than INS Vikramaditya. If it too hosts Mig-29K then IN needs more crafts in spare for lifetime use.