Posted on 02/19/2010 12:47:24 AM PST by ErnstStavroBlofeld
The sophisticated Russian-made MiG-29K maritime fighter aircraft, which will be based on under-construction aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov, were formally inducted into the Navy by Defence Minister A K Antony on Friday.Four MiG 29Ks of the 'Black Panthers' squadron were inducted at a ceremony that was also attended by Navy chief Admiral Nirmal Verma. India had placed orders for 16 MiG-29K in 2004 along with Admiral Gorshkov aircraft carrier from Russia , four of which landed in India on December 4,2009.
"After induction, the fighter jets would be operated for around two years from the under-development shore-based testing facility (SBTF) at INS Hansa till the actual delivery of Gorshkov, rechristened as INS Vikramaditya, slated for 2012," a senior naval officer said. He said pilots will have to undergo training at the Intensive Flying and Testing Unit and a syllabus has been evolved for all future pilots, who would fly the aircraft. For operating the fleet of MiG 29Ks, India had sent 10 pilots for training to Russia and also to the US for deck landing training and on board a French aircraft carrier for operations training, he said.
India has only one aircraft carrier INS Virat but the MiG 29Ks can't be operated from it as they are too big to take off or land at the around 28,000-tonne warship. The officer said more pilots will go to Russia four-and-half months before Gorshkov is inducted into the navy and train for arrested landing and take-off from the aircraft carrier itself. Till then, they will train at the new SBTF and the simulator facility coming up at the air bases
Of the 16 jets ordered from Russia, he said 12 are single-seater fighter planes and the rest four are MiG-29KUB twin-seater trainers and
(Excerpt) Read more at news.rediff.com ...
No. The Russians never deliver anything on time.
More like 2112
According to one defence analyst, the delays and unexplained hikes in transfer costs were presumably indicators of Russian weariness towards the growing Indo-US relations.
OK the present lack of wires may be a problem, but 50 years ago this ship operated the Supermarine Scimitar - similar size, weight, wing area (and only 60% of the power)
Beautiful plane, and it had four 30mm cannons! Bet it could make a heck of a strafing run...
ping
I would hope to see the quals for the Chinese, and not watch the quals for the Indians...praying for the Indians...
5.56mm
Click on pic for past Navair pings.
Post or FReepmail me if you wish to be enlisted in or discharged from the Navair Pinglist.
The only requirement for inclusion in the Navair Pinglist is an interest in Naval Aviation.
This is a medium to low volume pinglist.
With advances in missile technology, Carriers might already be obsolete means of real power projection.
Well, the Indians did use the Vikrant (their first carrier) in the war against Pakistan in 1971.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.