IAF Wants New Russian MiG-29s To Be Equipped With Indigenous Weapons

Mumbai: At a time when the Indian Air Force (IAF) is batting for indigenization, the force plans to acquire new 21 MiG-29 fighter jets from Russia and equip them with indigenous weapon systems such as the Astra Air to Air Missile.

Defence sources told ANI, “The proposal to acquire 21 MiG-29s will be put before the Defense Acquisition Council soon. The Indian Air Force wants the MiG-29s to be upgraded MiG-29s.”

“The Indian Air Force also wants the aircraft to be equipped with Indian weapon systems, including Astra missiles,” he said.

Sources said that there are other indigenous equipment and weapons, which will be integrated with the aircraft as soon as the deal is done.

The MiG-29 is a new airframe with the Russians and was lying unused in Russia.

The push to promote indigenous weapons comes at a time when Indian Air Force Chief RKS Bhadauria has made it clear that the force will completely withdraw indigenous efforts such as the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas and the fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft Program.

The IAF did a study to check if the MiG-29’s airframes on offer were long enough to operate.

The MiG-29 is flown by the Indian Air Force and the pilots are familiar with it but the items offered by the Russians are different in the Indian list.

The Indian Navy also operates the MiG-29 ‘K’ and is the sole operator of this variant of the aircraft. It is a difficult experience with aircraft that are difficult to maintain and their settings change soon after landing on the aircraft carrier.

The Indian Air Force has three squadrons of MiG-29s, which have been upgraded for extended life and are considered to be very good aircraft in air defense roles.

(With ANI Inputs)

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