MOSCOW. Jan 15 (Interfax-AVN) - The Fazotron-NIIR corporation has launched the serial production of Zhuk-ME onboard radar systems designed to be installed on the export version of Russia's MiG-29 fighter jet.
"The enterprise is expected to deliver approximately ten Zhuk-ME onboard radar systems in 2010," Anatoly Kanashchenkov, Fazotron-NIIR first deputy general director and general designer, told Interfax-AVN.
Before the end of the year, the corporation will also have to manufacture spare parts sufficient to make "another ten Zhuk-ME radars," Kanashchenkov said.
Newly made MiG-29K/KUB and MiG-29SMT fighter jets will be fitted with such radars, he said.
Fazotron-NIIR has also been "participating in the modernization of 64 MiG-29 fighter jets owned by the Indian Air Force," he said.
"Flight tests of India's modernized MiG-29 planes are expected to begin in Russia at the end of 2010 or at the start of 2011," Kanashchenkov said.
"In 2010, the corporation will also continue efforts to fine-tune Zhuk-ME radars installed on MiG-29SMT airplanes under a contract with Algeria," he said.
"The aforementioned MiG-29SMT planes have been returned to Russia by Algeria and will be sent to the Russian Air Force's units after all the necessary adjustments are made," he added.