Source : IgMp Bureau
India is set to enhance the capabilities of its MiG-29 fighters through the procurement of advanced RD-33MK engines. Government sources have confirmed that this acquisition will be funded from this year’s defense budget. The specific allocation for the Indian Air Force (IAF) or the Navy remains uncertain, as both branches currently operate the MiG-29 and are expected to retain them until 2035.
The RD-33 MK engines will be manufactured in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). HAL has been producing these engines since 2007, with a total of 140 Russian-made engines built by 2020. This move aligns with India’s push towards self-reliance in defense manufacturing.
In a strategic move, the Indian Air Force plans to undertake a second life extension program for its fleet of MiG-29 frontline fighter jets. This initiative aims to prolong the service span from 40 to 50 years. The first life extension program took place in the mid-2000s, and the upcoming extension is crucial considering the aircraft’s enhanced technical life is set to expire from 2025 onwards.
The No.11 Base Repair Depot near Nashik, responsible for the repair and overhaul of Russian-origin fighter aircraft, will execute the life extension project. Only Indian firms will be allowed to participate in this program, emphasizing India’s commitment to domestic defense capabilities.
The comprehensive project involves the examination of the aircraft’s airframe, engines, avionics, sub-assemblies, and other aggregates. It includes the development and analysis of technical and flight data, structural integrity checks, corrosion removal, repair, strengthening of load-bearing areas, and certain structural modifications.
The IAF currently operates approximately 66 Soviet/Russian-origin MiG-29 fighters across three squadrons. While two squadrons are based at Adampur and Jamnagar, a third has recently relocated to Srinagar. Additionally, the Navy has procured 35 MiG-29s for its fleet air arm.
During the last decade, the MiG-29s underwent extensive modification and upgradation, resulting in the MiG-29UPG variant. This enhancement included modifications to the airframe, along with new avionics, radar, missiles, weapon control systems, and an electronic warfare suite.
The IAF extensively utilized its MiG-29s during the 1999 Kargil War, providing fighter escort for Mirage 2000s and engaging in combat air patrols. The aircraft’s significance was further demonstrated in Ladakh during the 2020 face-off along the Line of Actual Control, countering Chinese aircraft.
Reports indicate that India is in the process of acquiring 21 additional MiG-29s from Russia. This move aims to replace earlier losses and raise another squadron. These aircraft will be developed and upgraded from airframes built earlier but never entered into service, showcasing India’s commitment to bolstering its air defense capabilities.
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