Russia could deliver the first modernized MiG-29 fighter jet to India as early as in 2011, the head of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) said on Wednesday.
India signed a $960 million contract with Russia in 2008 to upgrade its five squadrons of 69 MiG-29 fighters, which have been in service with the Indian Air Force (IAF) since mid-1980s.
"The first upgraded plane, I think, will be delivered in 2011," Mikhail Pogosyan said on the sidelines of the Aero India 2011 air show, which opened on Wednesday in Bangalore.
"The whole upgrade program will be carried out on schedule agreed with the Indian side, and it will take several years to implement it," Pogosyan said.
The upgrades include a new avionics kit, with the N-109 radar being replaced by a Phazatron Zhuk-M radar. The aircraft is also being equipped to enhance beyond-visual-range combat ability and for air-to-air refueling to increase flying time.
The upgraded aircraft will be armed with sophisticated air-to-air missiles, high-accuracy air-to-ground missiles and 'smart aerial' bombs.
In 2007, Russia also sold India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) a license to manufacture 120 RD-33 series 3 turbojet engines for the upgrade.
The first six aircraft are being upgraded in Russia while the remaining 63 will be refitted at the HAL facility in India.
IAF's first upgraded MiG-29 took to air a couple of days back in Russia as part of MiG-29 Upgradation program to increase the capability and service life of these frontline jets which were inducted into the IAF in 1980's. The first image of the MiG clearly shows a hump on its back which probably houses new and much more advance EWS (Electronic Warfare System). As part of the upgradation program the MiG-29 will receive following additions:
# New Engines: The existing RD-33 engines will be replaced by the upgraded RD-33 Series 3 engines which will be manufactured by HAL (Deal to mfg 120 units was signed in 2005). These engines boast a engine life of 2000hrs along with BARK-88 FADEC and KSU-941UB Removed control system.
# New Radar: A new radar will be installed replacing the older Phazotron RLPK-29. The new radar is Zhuk M2E which is a slot array radar and not a PESA. It will have a faster processor, allowing it to classify targets by type (for instance, fighters, bombers and helicopters) and to break-out formation targets flying at 20-30 meters apart. The radar can also be programmed to identify aircraft by type – in the case of a new type, it can record its reflected signal and later use it for identification. (Aviation Week)
# New sighting and targeting system: The MiG-29 will get UOMZ's KOLS-13SM FLIR, Sh-3UM-1 Helmet Mounted Integrated Targeting system.
# New Ejection Seat: The existing ejection seats will be replaced with the K-36 D made by Zvezda.
# Other Systems: BKTsO Digital signal processor, BTsVM-90/BTsVM-486-2 (onboard computer), L-150NU (passive guiding missiles station), SVR video recording system, KARAT-B whole recording system, BINS-SP navigation system with GPS, A-053 radio-altmeter, MS-2 voice warning system.
The program also includes purchase of more missile, rockets, bombs and external fuel tanks. Notably it includes R-77 missiles which have range of 80kms and 160kms however it is not known which one India is getting.
Image: IAF Mig-29 with Serial Number KBU-3301 (Changed from KB-3301)
Russia has offered to equip the Indian Su-30MKI aircraft with the electronically scanned array radar to bring them on par with the most modern fighter aircraft in the world. Currently the technical configuration of the upgraded aircraft with onboard AESA radar is being discussed by Russian and Indian experts.
The upgraded aircraft could be equipped with perspective Russian or foreign-made weapon, including Indo-Russian “BrahMos” anti-ship missiles, an Irkut statement said at Aero India 2011 A multirole Su-30MKI aircraft which became a sort of symbol of the IRKUT Corporation deserves an honourable place in the exposition of the company (stand 24, hall A). Fighter developed by JSC “Sukhoi Design Bureau” on demand of the Indian Air Force are mass-manufactured at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant. The IRKUT Corporation delivers to India ready-made Su-30MKI fighters as well as Su-30MKI technical kits for license production by India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd Corporation.
Program production of Su-30MKI for the Indian Air Force and its modifications for other countries is being developed successfully. For a number of parameters it has no equal in the entire history of Russian military-technical cooperation with foreign states. The total value of contracts approaches $9 billion. Under agreements more than 150 fighter aircraft were delivered to the Air Forces of India, Malaysia and Algeria.
The model of Yak-130 combat trainer developed by the JSC “Yakovlev Design Bureau” – a part of the Corporation is displayed at the IRKUT Corporation’s stand.
The aircraft was chosen as the main aircraft for basic and advanced training for pilots of the Russian Air Force. In 2010 the fist serially produced Yak-130 combat trainers were inducted in the Russian Air Force. The IRKUT Corporation also carries out two contracts on Yak-130 deliveries for foreign customers. Pre-contract negotiations are underway with several other potential customers.
The first MiG-29UPG destined for the Indian Air Force has flown.
The first MiG-29UPG destined for the Indian Air Force made its first flight from manufacturer RAC MiG’s Gromov LII airfield near Moscow.
Up to 63 surviving MiG-29 and MiG-29UB IAF aircraft are being upgraded with the first six undergoing upgrade in Russia - the remainder will be worked on at HAL Nasik in due course. All upgraded aircraft are due to have been returned to service by 2013.
The upgrade includes new RD-33-3M turbofan engines, ejection seat, central digital computer, Zhuk-ME radar, helmet-mounted targeting system and upgraded navigation and radio systems.
