Mikoyan MiG-29K

The Mikoyan MiG-29K (Russian: Микоян МиГ-29K; NATO reporting name: Fulcrum-D)[9] is a Russian all-weather carrier-based multirole fighter aircraft developed by the Mikoyan Design Bureau. The MiG-29K was developed in the late 1980s from the MiG-29M. Mikoyan describes it as a 4+ generation aircraft.[10][11]

MiG-29K
An Indian Navy MiG-29K
Role All-weather carrier-based multirole fighter
National origin Soviet Union / Russia
Manufacturer Mikoyan
First flight 23 July 1988 (1988-07-23)
Introduction 19 February 2010 (India)[1]
Status In service
Primary users Indian Navy
Russian Navy
Produced 2005–present[N 1]
Number built 81[4][5]
Developed from Mikoyan MiG-29M[6]
Developed into Mikoyan MiG-35[7][8]

Production standard MiG-29Ks differ from prototypes in features such as a multi-function radar and several new cockpit displays; the adoption of HOTAS (hands-on-throttle-and-stick) controls;[12] the integration of RVV-AE (also known as R-77) air-to-air missiles, along with missiles for anti-ship and anti-radar operations; and several ground/strike precision-guided weapons.

The MiG-29K was not ordered into production and only two prototypes were originally built because the Russian Navy preferred the Su-27K (later re-designated Su-33) in the early 1990s. Mikoyan did not stop its work on the MiG-29K aircraft despite the lack of financing since 1992. The programme got a boost in the late 1990s to meet an Indian requirement for a ship-borne fighter following the purchase of a former Soviet aircraft carrier, and the MiG-29K was first received by the Indian Naval Air Arm in 2009. The Russian Navy, with their Su-33s nearing the end of their service lives by 2010, has also ordered the MiG-29K as a replacement.

Development

Origins

The MiG-29K project was initiated in the late 1970s when the Soviet Navy developed a requirement for a supersonic carrier-based fighter. As a first step to meet this requirement, the Mikoyan design bureau designed a "proof of concept" version of the MiG-29 fitted with a stronger undercarriage and a reinforced tail section with an arrestor hook, the MiG-29KVP (Korotkii Vzlet i Posadka, or "short take off and landing").[13] The KVP first flew on 21 August 1982, and was subject to extensive trials which demonstrated it could safely operate from a ski-jump, but ideally a production aircraft needed more power and greater wing area.[14][15] It was decided to base the definitive naval version on the advanced MiG-29M (izdeliye "Product" 9.15) that was already under development, further modified with new undercarriage and folding wings of greater area, with the new model designated the MiG-29K (Korabelniy – "ship based") or Project 9–31.[6][16] The MiG-29K differed considerably from the MiG-29 production model, featuring a new multi-function radar, dubbed Zhuk; a cockpit with monochrome display and use of the HOTAS (hands-on-throttle-and-stick) principle; the RVV-AE air-to-air active homing missiles; antiship and antiradar missiles; as well as air-to-ground precision-guided weapons. To protect the engine from foreign object damage (FOD), the engine inlets were fitted with retractable grills for air flow, rather than metal doors and leading-edge extension auxiliary intake louvres used by land-based MiG-29s.[17]

A MiG-29M on display. The MiG-29M was developed into a naval version, the MiG-29K.

The MiG-29Ks first flight was performed on 23 July 1988 at Saky by test pilot Toktar Aubakirov.[18] On 1 November 1989, on the same day as the Sukhoi Su-27K,[N 2] Aubakirov executed the first carrier landing of MiG-29K on the aircraft-carrying cruiser Tbilisi (now known as Admiral Kuznetsov), the first take-off from the carrier's deck was successfully performed the same day.[20] During 1989–1991, the MiG-29K underwent further tests aboard Admiral Kuznetsov. The project was put on hold with the collapse of the Soviet Union, while the Russian Navy only pursued the rival Su-33.[21][N 3] Mikoyan continued work on the MiG-29K despite the lack of funding.[25][26]

During its tests aboard Admiral Kuznetsov, the aircraft had a springboard-assisted takeoff from strips 195 metres (640 ft) and 95 m (312 ft) long. According to the results of the tests, the landing accuracy proved to be very high, which made it possible at a later stage to switch over to a three-cable arrester system on Admiral Gorshkov. The landing accuracy is additionally enhanced through the employment of an autothrottle system. The takeoff characteristics allow for most flights to be possible under tropical conditions at a ship speed of 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph).[25][26]

Revival

An Indian Navy MiG-29K performs a high speed climb

The MiG-29K programme was revived in response to the decision of the Indian Navy to acquire the former Soviet Navy aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov in 2004.[27] When Admiral Gorshkov was part of the Soviet fleet, it was a hybrid aircraft carrier/cruiser using vertical take-off (V/STOL) aircraft; thus the deck was refurbished with a take-off ramp and arrestor wires for operating MiG-29Ks. The aircraft has an enlarged and folding wing, an arrestor hook and a corrosion-protected reinforced fuselage.[28]

One factor favouring the MiG-29K over the Su-33 in the Indian decision was the larger size of the Su-33, which further limited the number of aircraft on deck.[29][30] Modifications were made to the MiG-29K for Indian requirements, including the Zhuk-ME radar, RD-33MK engine, a combat payload up to 5,500 kilograms (12,100 lb), 13 weapon stations, and updated 4-channel digital fly-by-wire flight control system. It is compatible with the full range of weapons carried by the MiG-29M and MiG-29SMT.[31]

The problem of lack of aircraft-carrier based AWACS platform may be tackled by further development of dual-seat MiG-29KUB. It is theoretically possible to outfit the MiG-29KUB with powerful radar, and encrypted data links, to permit networking of multiple MiG-29KUB aircraft for AEW coverage. The MiG-29KUB may also be enhanced in areas such as electronic warfare and long-range interdiction.[25][26]

The MiG-29KUB two-seat variant took its first flight on 20 January 2007, followed by the MiG-29K on 25 June 2007.[32]

Design

MiG-29K fighter at Zhukovskiy LII air field

The MiG-29K is drastically modified from the Mikoyan MiG-29M for naval operations. The airframe and undercarriage are reinforced to withstand the stress experienced upon landing. Folding wings, an arrestor hook, and catapult attachments were added for carrier operations; the aircraft's undercarriage track was also widened. The MiG-29K, unlike the early MiG-29, can both conduct aerial refueling and "buddy" refuel other aircraft.

MiG-29K as a buddy refuelling tanker

The MiG-29K has two widely spaced RD-33MKs. The early prototypes were fitted with two RD-33K turbofan engines, each with afterburner thrust of 86.3 kN (19,800 lb) and a possible take-off thrust of 92.2 kN (20,723 lbf) for shipborne operations.[33][34] The RD-33MK engine features 7% higher power over the base RD-33, enabled by the usage of improved materials for the turbine blades.[35][36]

Internal fuel was increased from 3,340 to 4,560 kg (7,360 to 10,100 lb), to give a combat radius of 850 km (531 mi). The combat radius can be increased to 1,300 km (810 mi) with three underwing fuel drop tanks. The maximum weight of the aircraft grew from 19.5 to 22.4 t (43,000 to 49,400 lb), to allow for increased payloads. The MiG-29KUB two-seat fighter, intended for pilot training, can also conduct combat missions identical to the single-seat fighter.[2]

Cockpit and avionics

Comparisons between the Zhuk-ME (left) and Zhuk-AE (right)

The aircraft is equipped with three multifunctional color liquid-crystal displays (seven LCDs on the MiG-29KUB), a four-channel digital fly-by-wire flight control system, passive homing system for anti-radar missiles, Sigma-95 GPS receiver, TopGun helmet-mounted targeting system and electronic countermeasures (ECM). Additionally, an onboard oxygen generating system eliminates the need for heavy oxygen canisters.[2] The types of combat missions undertaken by the MiG-29K can be increased by adding optronic/infrared imaging reconnaissance pods.[25][26]

The Zhuk-ME is a development of the N010 Zhuk radar, introducing functions such as terrain mapping and following. The radar, weighing 220 kilograms (490 lb), features improved signal processing and a detection range of up to 120 km (75 mi) vs a 5 m2 RCS target for the export variant.[37] In the air targeting mode, up to ten targets can be tracked and four targets engaged simultaneously.[38] In air to surface mode the radar can detect a tank from up to 25 kilometres (16 mi) away and a bridge from 120 kilometres (75 mi) away, a naval destroyer could be detected up to 300 kilometres (190 mi) away, while up to two surface targets can be tracked at once. The radar has a scanning area of ±85 degrees in azimuth and +56/-40 in elevation.[38]

The Zhuk-AE radar was developed with modular approach, enabling upgrade of existing Zhuk ME radars deployed in MiG-29 platforms into the active electronically scanned array (AESA) Zhuk-AE standard. India is already operating the Bars phased array radar on its Su-30MKI and has specified AESA as a critical element of the MRCA platform.[39] The MiG-29K can be outfitted with an IRST system integrated with both optical and laser systems.[2] It can provide targeting solutions for ground and air targets at up to 15 km (9.3 mi), with all-round 360-degree coverage. The IRST can also provide detailed trajectories of missiles at closer ranges.

Weapons and defensive capabilities

A MiG-29K and its armaments at MAKS Airshow. The folded wings maximise the limited space available on an aircraft carrier.

MiG-29K has a GSh-30-1 30 mm cannon in the port wing root. It has provisions for laser-guided and electro-optical bombs, as well as air-to-surface missiles like Kh-25ML/25MP, Kh-29T, Kh-31G/31A, Kh-35U, and rockets. Kh-31P passive radar seeker missiles are used as anti-radiation missiles. Kh-35, Kh-31A antiship missiles are for anti-ship roles; for aerial combat air-to-air missile like RVV-AE, R-27ER/ET and R-73E are fitted. The aircraft is also adaptable to various foreign weapons.

The MiG-29K has a combination of low-observable technology, advanced electronic-warfare capabilities, reduced ballistic vulnerability, and standoff weapons to enhance the fighter's survivability.[31] According to Mikoyan, extensive use of radar-absorbent materials reduce the MiG-29K's radar signature 4–5 times over the basic MiG-29.[31] The RD-33MK turbofan engine was also engineered to reduce infrared signature and improve aircraft camouflage.[35][36]

Operational history

India

MiG-29K of INAS 303 executes a low approach to the aircraft carrier Vikramaditya in 2014.

In 2004 India ordered 12 MiG-29K single-seat and 4 MiG-29KUB two-seat fighters. The MiG-29K is to provide both airborne fleet air defence and surface attack capabilities. Deliveries began in December 2009.[40] Prior to their delivery to India, the MiG-29Ks underwent testing on board Admiral Kuznetsov.[41] In January 2010, India and Russia signed a deal worth US$1.2 billion for the Indian Navy to receive an additional 29 MiG-29Ks.[42] The MiG-29K entered operational service with India in February 2010.[40] Further deliveries of five MiG-29Ks and a flight simulator took place in May 2011. Further deliveries are to continue through 2012.[43] The fighters were based at INS Hansa in Goa on India's west coast until Admiral Gorshkov joined the navy under the name of INS Vikramaditya in last quarter of 2013. Vikramaditya was expected to carry up to 24 MiG-29K/KUB fighters. The future indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, being built by India, is also likely to carry these aircraft.[43]

MiG-29K of the Indian Navy

Further MiG-29K orders by India were frozen after a MiG-29KUB crashed during testing in Russia prior to delivery to India; the Indian Defence Ministry commented that the crash cast a shadow on the credibility of the aircraft.[44] Russia later announced that pilot error had caused the crash, and there was no need to ground the aircraft.[45] In August 2011, MiG's General Director Sergei Korotkov announced that the final five out of the 16 aircraft contracted in 2004 would be delivered by the end of the year; and that deliveries of a second batch of 29 MiG-29Ks would begin in 2012. In November 2012, the MiG-29K/KUB completed sea trials for the Indian Navy.[46] One problem is that Western and Ukrainian sanctions on Russia have prevented Mikoyan importing components for assembly at the factory, instead they have had to be installed "on the flightline" in India.[47]

In a 2016 report, India's national auditor CAG criticized the aircraft due to defects in engines, airframes and fly-by-wire systems. The serviceability of MiG-29K was reported ranging from 15.93% to 37.63% and that of MiG-29KUB ranging from 21.30% to 47.14%; with 40 engines (62%) being rejected/withdrawn from service due to design defects. These defects are likely to reduce the service life of the aircraft from the stated 6000 hours.[48][49][50] However, it was reported that recent efforts made by the two countries have improved serviceability to around 70%.[51] In 2017, the Indian government announced the planned replacement of the MiG-29 with 57 new aircraft, with a competition primarily between the French Dassault Rafale and the American Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.[52][53]

In December 2018 when addressing the press on the eve of Navy Day CNS Admiral Lanba noted regarding the MiG-29K, "there is no issue on supplies of spare parts from Russia at the moment... The MiG-29K fleet has been performing well now." The Indian Navy plans to deploy the MiG-29K onboard its first domestically built carrier, the INS Vikrant, and will acquire further combat jets with updated capabilities for this purpose. Indian Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba announced that issues related to maintenance and availability of spare parts for the MiG-29K fleet, which had previously undermined their readiness, had been resolved.[54] On 26 May 2023 Indian built Mikoyan MiG-29K successfully landed on new carrier INS Vikrant (2013) during night sea trials lauding praise from defense ministry for Navy's dependence on Atmanirbhar Bharat.[55]

Russia

MiG-29KR of the Russian Navy on display at Kubinka Airbase

The 279th Shipborne Fighter Aviation Regiment of the Russian Navy has a fleet of 21 Su-33 fighters[56] whose service lives were expected to be reached by 2015. Around 10 to 12 will receive an upgrade including the Gefest SVP-24 bombsight for free-fall bombs, giving them a limited ground attack capability,[56] but more aircraft were needed. It was less cost-effective to open the Su-33 production line for a small run than to piggy-back on the Indian Navy's order of MiG-29K's. India paid $730 million for the development and delivery of 16 units, while 24 for the Russian Navy would cost approximately $1 billion.[57]

The Russian Navy ordered 24 MiG-29Ks in late 2009 for Admiral Kuznetsov. Deliveries of the MiG-29K for the Russian Navy started in 2010.[58] MiG and Russia were in final negotiations for an order for more MiG-29K/KUB aircraft in August 2011. An order for 20 MiG-29KR fighter-bombers and four MiG-29KUBR operational trainers for operation from Admiral Kuznetsov, replacing the Sukhoi Su-33, was officially announced in February 2012.[59] However, in 2015, Major-General Igor Kozhin, the Commander of the Navy's Air and Air Defence Forces, announced that a second fighter regiment would be formed to augment the current force, with the intention that the MiG-29s be used by this new unit, with some existing Su-33s refurbished for further use.[60][61]

In October 2016, four MiG-29KR/KUBR from the 100th Independent Shipborne Fighter Aviation Regiment formed part of the air group aboard Admiral Kuznetsov as the ship deployed with its battle group to the Mediterranean Sea as part of the Russian campaign in Syria.[62] On 13 November 2016, a MiG-29KUBR on operations in the Mediterranean crashed en route back to Admiral Kuznetsov.[62][63]

Variants

MiG-29K
Indian single seat variant.[2]
MiG-29KR
Russian single seat variant, replaces Ukrainian and Indian equipment with Russian.[47]
MiG-29KUB
Indian tandem two-seat operational trainer variant.[2]
MiG-29KUBR
Russian tandem two-seat operational trainer variant.[64]
MiG-29KVP
(KVP – Korotkaya Vzlet Posadka – Short take-off landing (STOL)) Several aircraft converted to article 9–12 standard, (or 9–18?), with high-lift systems strengthened undercarriage and arrestor hook, for research into deck landings and pilot training.[65]

Operators

MiG-29K operators in 2010
 India
 Russia

Accidents

  • On 23 June 2011, a MiG-29KUB crashed during testing in Russia, prior to delivery to India, killing its two pilots.[69][70]
  • On 13 November 2016, a MiG-29KUBR crashed in the Mediterranean Sea while returning to the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov from a mission over Syria. The pilot was reportedly rescued.[64][71]
  • In November 2019, an Indian Navy MiG-29KUB trainer aircraft crashed after engine failure and both pilots ejected safely. [72]
  • In February 2020, an Indian Navy MiG-29KUB trainer aircraft crashed and both pilots ejected safely.
  • On 26 November 2020, an Indian Navy MiG-29KUB trainer aircraft crashed into sea with one pilot dead.[73]
  • On 12 October 2022, an Indian Navy MiG-29K aircraft off INS Hansa crashed off the coast of Goa in the sea and pilot was rescued. [74]

Specifications (MiG-29K - Izdeliye 9.41)

3-view drawing of MiG-29
3-view drawing of MiG-29
Klimov RD-33MK at MAKS 2009
Wing folding mechanism
Refuelling tube

Data from Rosoboronexport,[75] Mikoyan,[11] Gordon and Davidson,[76] deagel.com,[4] airforce-technology.com,[77] Business World[78]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 17.3 m (56 ft 9 in)
  • Wingspan: 11.99 m (39 ft 4 in)
  • Height: 4.4 m (14 ft 5 in)
  • Wing area: 43 m2 (460 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 11,000 kg (24,251 lb)
  • Gross weight: 18,950 kg (41,778 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 24,500 kg (54,013 lb)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Klimov RD-33MK afterburning turbofan engines, 52.96 kN (11,905 lbf) thrust each [79] dry, 88.3 kN (19,840 lbf) with afterburner

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 2,200 km/h (1,400 mph, 1,200 kn) / Mach 2+ at high altitude
1,400 km/h (870 mph; 760 kn) / Mach 1.13 at low altitude
  • Cruise speed: 1,500 km/h (930 mph, 810 kn) / M1.21
  • Range: 1,500 km (930 mi, 810 nmi) at high altitude
700 km (430 mi; 380 nmi) at low altitude
  • Combat range: 850 km (530 mi, 460 nmi)
  • Ferry range: 2,000 km (1,200 mi, 1,100 nmi) internals
3,000 km (1,900 mi; 1,600 nmi) with 3 drop tanks
5,500 km (3,400 mi; 3,000 nmi) with 3 drop tanks + one aerial refuelling
  • Service ceiling: 17,500 m (57,400 ft)
  • g limits: +8
  • Rate of climb: 330 m/s (65,000 ft/min) initial
109 m/s (358 ft/s) average from 0–6,000 m (0–19,685 ft)

Armament

Others:

Avionics

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

Notes
  1. Serial production began in 2005 for Indian MiG-29K/KUB aircraft.[2][3]
  2. The Su-27K was to be only an air-to-air fighter aircraft, while the MiG-29K was intended and designed to be a multirole ship-based fighter, able to attack enemy ships and support troops on land as well as conduct air defence missions.[19]
  3. Aviation authors Bill Gunston and Yefim Gordon characterised the rejection of the MiG-29K for the Su-33 as "astonishing", noting that the Su-33 was more expensive and incapable of launching missiles against surface targets.[22] However, some analysts have stated the view that the MiG-29K was only a fall-back option if the Su-33 had proven to be too heavy for carrier operations; and that the Soviet Navy were only interested in fleet air defence, not strike or attack capabilities.[15] Others attributed the rejection of the MiG-29K to the fact that, Sukhoi's designer general, Mikhail Simonov, was a member of the Committee of the Supreme Soviet which managed the aircraft industry.[23][24]
Citations
  1. Parsons, Gary (19 February 2010). "Indian MiGs enter service". AirForces Monthly. Archived from the original on 11 April 2015. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  2. "MiG-29K". Deagel.com. Archived from the original on 28 October 2015.
  3. "29K Fighters Face Problems". DefenseNews.com. 10 August 2016.
  4. "Mig-29K". Deagel.com. Archived from the original on 7 June 2011. Retrieved 17 March 2010.
  5. "Engine, design deficiencies — Third crash puts Russian MiG-29K back in focus". The print. 29 November 2020.
  6. Gordon & Davison 2005, p. 40.
  7. Brown, Daniel (3 December 2018). "7 photos of the MiG-35, a highly maneuverable fighter jet that Russia hopes will keep the MiG corporation in business". Business Insider. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  8. Mader, Georg (3 July 2019). "What does the MiG-35 bring to air combat? Interview with Anastasia Kravchenko". Defence iQ. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  9. Suciu, Peter (15 March 2021). "MiG-29K: Why Russia Is Sending This Dangerous Fighter to the Arctic". The National Interest.
  10. "Mikoyan MiG-29K Infographics". RIA Novosti. Archived from the original on 22 October 2014. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
  11. "MiG-29K/MiG-29KUB". Mikoyan Corporation. Archived from the original on 17 March 2013. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
  12. "Mikoyan MiG-29K/KUB Fulcrum-D". FlyFighterJet.com. 12 November 2012.
  13. Belyakov & Marmain 1994, pp. 446–449.
  14. Belyakov & Marmain 1994, p. 449.
  15. Bangash 2008, p. 281.
  16. Belyakov & Marmain 1994, pp. 449–450.
  17. "Mikoyan MiG-29". Warbirds of India. 19 November 2008. Retrieved 31 December 2012.
  18. Belyakov & Marmain 1994, p. 452.
  19. Ilyin, Vladimir (2003). "MiGs on the Deck". Aerocosmicheskoye Obozrenie (1): 12–15.
  20. Williams 2002, p. 129.
  21. Donald and March 2001, pp. 152–153.
  22. Gunston and Gordon 1998, p. 254.
  23. Williams 2002, p. 177.
  24. Eden 2004, p. 462.
  25. "Fighter Mig-29 Fulcrum". Enemyforces.net. Retrieved 16 January 2013.
  26. Buntin, Nikolai (July 1999). "MiG-29K to operate from new Aircraft Carriers". Military Parade (34). Archived from the original on 2 October 2009. Retrieved 16 January 2013.
  27. "India owns Admiral Gorshkov: Navy chief". The Times of India. 3 December 2007. Archived from the original on 5 September 2012. Retrieved 6 July 2011.
  28. Rininger 2006, p. 124.
  29. Conley 2001, p. 69.
  30. "4+ MiG-29K/KUB and 4++ MiG-35". FlyFighterJet.com. Retrieved 31 December 2012.
  31. "MiG Corp. started series production of MiG-29K/KUB for Indian Navy". Migavia.ru (Press release). Archived from the original on 14 April 2005. Retrieved 5 July 2011.
  32. Butowski, Piotr (22 September 2007). "Wraps come off new Russian fighters: Russia's so-called "intermediate-generation" fighters made their debut at MAKS 2007". Interavia Business & Technology. Aerospace Media Publishing. Archived from the original on 5 November 2013. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  33. Williams 2002, p. 128
  34. Gordon & Davison 2005, pp. 46, 92.
  35. "RD-33MK". Klimov. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007.
  36. "Perspective Project Developments at the KLIMOV Aero Engine Design Company". Klimov. 2007. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007.
  37. "Aircraft MiG-29K / KUB". Bharat Rakshak.
  38. "Airforces Catalogue". Rosoboronexport. Archived from the original on 3 December 2006.
  39. "Phazotron Zhuk AE AESA Radar". Defense-Update.com. Archived from the original on 29 July 2014. Retrieved 5 July 2011.
  40. "Indian MiGs enter service". AirForces Monthly. 19 February 2010. Archived from the original on 7 July 2011.
  41. "Indian MIG-29K Naval fighters undergo tests on Russian carrier". The Indian Express. 30 September 2009.
  42. Pandit, Rajat (18 January 2010). "India, Russia to ink $1.2 bn deal for 29 more MiG-29Ks". The Times of India.
  43. "Russia delivers new batch of five MiG-29 naval fighters to India". The Economic Times. 31 May 2011. Archived from the original on 10 October 2012.
  44. Raghuvanshi, Vivek (28 June 2011). "MiG Crash in Russia Freezes Further Indian Buys". DefenseNews.com. Archived from the original on 11 July 2012.
  45. "No need to ground MiG 29K fighter jet, Russia tells India". Hindustan Times. 30 June 2011. Archived from the original on 4 July 2011.
  46. Karnozov, Vladimir (1 November 2012). "MiG-29K carrier trials for India completed". Flightglobal.com.
  47. Johnson, Reuben F. (7 July 2016). "Indian Navy reports problems with Russian carrier, aircraft". IHS Jane's Defence Weekly. Archived from the original on 8 July 2016.
  48. Raghuvanshi, Vivek (8 August 2017). "Report: India's Russian-made MiG-29K Fighters Face Problems". Defense News. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
  49. Rogoway, Tyler (17 July 2017). "Indian Navy MiG-29Ks Make Low Approaches To USS Nimitz During "Malabar" Drills". The Drive. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
  50. Sen, Sudhi Ranjan (27 July 2016). "Auditor's Report Card Fails Navy's New Flagship Fighter, MiG-29K". NDTV. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
  51. "All Issues Pertaining to Serviceability of MiG-29K Sorted Out - Indian Navy". Indian Defense News. 5 December 2018. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  52. Bedi, Rahul (1 February 2017). "India issues RFI for 57 carrier-borne fighters". Jane's Defence Weekly. 54 (5): 6.
  53. "It's Official: Indian Navy Wants 57 Carrier-borne Fighters". LiveFistDefence.com. 25 January 2017. Archived from the original on 2 March 2017. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  54. "Report: Indian Navy Expresses Confidence in MiG-29K Naval Fighters; Jets to Deploy From Carriers Vikrant and Vikramaditya". MilitaryWtch Magazine. 5 December 2018. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
  55. "MiG-29K Lands On India's Aircraft Carrier At Night For First Time". New Delhi Television. 27 May 2023.
  56. "'Sea Flankers' prepare for Syria". Combat Aircraft. 30 September 2016. Archived from the original on 6 October 2016.
  57. "Russian Navy will probably buy 24 MiG-29K fighters designed for India". Rusnavy.com. 24 September 2009. Retrieved 5 July 2011.
  58. "New fighter jets for Admiral Kuznetsov". Barents Observer. 25 September 2009. Archived from the original on 7 July 2011. Retrieved 5 July 2011.
  59. "Russia Orders Bombers and Fighters". Aviation Week & Space Technology. New York: McGraw-Hill. 174 (9): 15. 5 March 2012. ISSN 0005-2175.
  60. "Russian Navy to Form Second Aircraft Carrier Aviation Regiment with MiG-29K/KUB". NavyRecognition.com. 26 August 2015. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
  61. "In 2015 naval aviation to receive more than 20 MiG-29K aircraft". Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
  62. "Russian Navy MiG-29K lost in Mediterranean". Combat Aircraft. 14 November 2016. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  63. Mizokami, Kyle (5 December 2016). "Russia's Sad, Smokey Aircraft Carrier Loses Second Fighter in Two Weeks". Popular Mechanics.
  64. "Russian Navy MiG-29K lost in Mediterranean". Combat Aircraft. 14 November 2016. Archived from the original on 1 December 2016. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
  65. Gunston, Bill (1995). The Osprey Encyclopaedia of Russian Aircraft 1875–1995. London: Osprey. p. 228. ISBN 1-85532-405-9.
  66. "РСК "МиГ" выполнила оборонзаказ-2014 по корабельным истребителям" [RSK "MiG" completed the 2014 defense order for naval fighters]. RIA Novosti (in Russian). 2 December 2014. Archived from the original on 10 December 2014.
  67. "МиГ-29КУБ - 9 лет в небе" [MiG-29KUB - 9 years in the sky]. Mikoyan (in Russian). 20 January 2016.
  68. "Сформирован 100-й отдельный корабельный истребительный авиационный полк" [The 100th independent shipborne fighter aviation regiment was formed]. bmpd.livejournal.com (in Russian). 15 January 2016. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
  69. "Тела пилотов упавшего под Астраханью МиГ-29 обнаружены" [The bodies of the pilots of the MiG-29 that fell near Astrakhan were found]. Vesti.ru (in Russian). 23 June 2011. Retrieved 31 December 2012.
  70. "Fighter meant for Indian Navy crashes in Russia". The Indian Express. 25 June 2011.
  71. Cook, Lonzo; Bonner, Jeanne (14 November 2016). "Russian fighter jet crashes into Mediterranean". CNN.
  72. "Indian Navy's MiG-29K Crashes in Goa; Pilots Eject Safely". 16 November 2019.
  73. "Indian Navy's MiG-29K trainer aircraft crashes into sea; one pilot rescued, another missing". The Indian Express. 27 November 2020.
  74. Garg, Arjit. "MiG-29K crash: When joint effort of Indian Coast Guard and Navy saved the LIFE of fighter jet pilot". Zee News.
  75. "MIG-29K". Rosoboronexport. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
  76. Gordon & Davison 2005, pp. 40–44.
  77. "MiG-29 Fulcrum Fighter Bomber". Airforce Technology.
  78. "Air Force to get 33 new fighter jets, 248 indigenous Astra missiles". BusinessWorld. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
  79. Gordon 2006, p. 184
Bibliography
  • Bangash, M.Y.H. Shock, Impact and Explosion: Structural Analysis and Design. Springer, 2008. ISBN 3-540-77067-4.
  • Belyakov, R.A. and Marmain, J. MiG: Fifty Years of Secret Aircraft Design. Shrewsbury, UK:Airlife, 1994. ISBN 1-85310-488-4.
  • Conley, Jerome M. Indo-Russian military and nuclear cooperation: lessons and options for U.S. policy in South Asia. Lexington Books, 2001. ISBN 0-7391-0217-6.
  • Day, Jerry. "Hot Hot Hot!" Air Classics, Volume 45, Issue 4, April 2009.
  • Donald, David; Daniel J. March (2001). Carrier Aviation Air Power Directory. Norwalk, CT: AIRtime Publishing. pp. 152–153. ISBN 1-880588-43-9.
  • Eden, Paul (ed.). The Encyclopedia of Modern Military Aircraft. London, UK: Amber Books, 2004. ISBN 1-904687-84-9.
  • Gordon, Yefim and Peter Davison. Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-29 Fulcrum. North Branch, Minnesota: Specialty Press, 2005. ISBN 1-58007-085-X.
  • Gordon, Yefim (2006). Mikoyan MiG-29. Hinckley, United Kingdom: Midland Publishing. ISBN 978-1-85780-231-3.
  • Gunston, Bill and Yefim Gordon. MiG aircraft since 1937. North Branch, Minnesota: Naval Institute Press, 1998. ISBN 1-55750-541-1.
  • Lake, Jon. Jane's How to Fly and Fight in the Mikoyan MiG-29. New York: HarperCollins, 1997. ISBN 0-00-472144-6.
  • Rininger, Tyson V. Red Flag: Air Combat for the 21st Century. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zenith Imprint, 2006. ISBN 0-7603-2530-8.
  • Williams, Mel, ed. (2002). "Sukhoi 'Super Flankers'". Superfighters: The Next Generation of Combat Aircraft. Norwalk, Connecticut: AIRtime Publishing Inc., 2002. ISBN 1-880588-53-6.
External image
MiG-29 overview
image icon Poster by RIA Novosti
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.