Posted on 09/23/2008 8:09:41 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
India to Order 29 MiG-29Ks in Russia
India intends to order additional consignment of 29 MiG-29Ks in Russia, Lenta.ru reported with reference to defense sources of Indian Express. The cost of the order is estimated at around $2 billion, but the negotiations with Moscow haven’t been launched yet.
In 2004, India ordered 12 one-seat MiG-29Ks and four two-seat MiG-29KUB under the complex contract for supply of Admiral Gorshkov aircraft carrier cruiser. The deal budget amounted to $1.6 billion.
The purchase of the second consignment will enable India to create additional squadrons. India plans to extend the 50 MiG-29K fleet to 50 jets.
MiG-29K/KUB beck-based multifunctional fighters are capable of ensuring air defense of the vessels, wining air dominance and hitting surface and ground targets by using the guided weapons.
India vs China?
/johnny
Home Despot of course.
No, but I'm pretty sure they're an aftermarket supplier of Mig parts.
“...aircraft carrier cruiser” ?
I hope the Russians sell 'em 150 more.
It's embarrassing to have your 50 MiG-29K fleet be only 16 jets.
Does this mean that the overhaul of the INS Vikramaditya is nearing completion? Is the order for additional MiGs part of a compensation package for Russia being late and way over budget on the conversion process?
“...aircraft carrier cruiser” ?
Soviet/Russian Aricraft Carriers have always included anti-ship missles as part of their armament... hence the cruiser definition. it is especially apt since they are not able to provide the kind of fleet air cover that that US designed carriers are. They are a hybrid ski-jump type carrier and missle cruiser.
More here: http://128.121.102.226/rcar.html
Yeah back in the day aircraft carriers were considered a variety of cruiser hence the designation CV = Cruiser aViation (Criuser Armoured already been taken)
A factoid I did not know. Most of my reading has been about the BBs.
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Why is India buying that junk??? I though they were buying F-16’s and FA-18’s from the US and Israel.
A. No sane pilot is going to try to land an F-16 on a carrier deck.
B. With regard to the F-18E, the Mig-29K is
I'd love to see the J-39, but I'm betting the politics won't allow it. It appears best suited for the stated job of replacing the MiG-21's.
Meanwhile, the Chinese are buying the superior SU-33
Actually it's a way around the Montreux Convention. Aircraft carriers are not allowed through the Dardanelles. By classifying their ships as cruisers, albeit ones with a lot of airplanes onboard, the Soviet Union was able to get around the restrictions.
The modified Kiev class ship India is buying can’t operate the SU-33.Modifying it further would affect the ship’s equilibrium. Besides, on paper the new Mig-29 matches up to the SU-33 in most respects barring range.Anyway both aircraft are handicapped given their limited numbers and absence of assisted take-offs.
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