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Fulcrum Ahoy
Indian navy officials embark on Kuznetsov to watch MiG-29K/KUB carrier trials

Aviation Week & Space Technology 10/05/2009
Author: Alexey Komarov




Sea trials of the MiG-29K/KUB Fulcrum carrier-borne fighter are underway on board the Russian navy’s Admiral Kuznetsov, prior to delivery of the first batch of aircraft to India.

Russian military and company test pilots performed landings and take-offs from the carrier on Sept. 28-29 in the Barents Sea. The single-seat MiG-29K and two-seat MiG-29KUB took part in the demonstration; Indian navy representatives observed.


The MiG-29K and MiG-29KUB are being developed for the Indian navy, which has ordered 12 single- and four two-seat aircraft as part of a 2004 $1.5-billion deal. This also covered the purchase, overhaul and modernization of the Gorshkov, which will be known as the INS Vikramaditya in Indian ­service.


The cost of the overall program has escalated dramatically. Since 2007, the price Moscow first quoted has risen to around $2.9 billion, though India has not yet agreed to the final figure (AW&ST Aug. 10, p. 54). The ship’s delivery date, originally set for 2008, has been pushed back to 2012.


Reports in the Indian press state that the navy is expecting delivery of the first four aircraft—two MiG-29Ks and two MiG-29KUBs—this month. Indian pilots are already in Russia where they are taking part in a five-month familiarization course.


The Indian program is providing MiG the opportunity to promote its MiG-29K to the Russian navy. That service is said to be considering a purchase of up to 24 MiG-29K/KUBs to bolster—or possibly replace—the capability now provided by Sukhoi Su-33s. One of the aircraft used for the carrier trials was in Russian rather than Indian markings.