MOSCOW. Feb 3 (Interfax-AVN) - The Russian MIG Aircraft Building Corporation has completed the process of finding subcontractors and started serial production of the MIG-29K Fulcrum shipborne multi-role fighters for the Indian Air Force.
"Within the framework of manufacturing cooperation, we signed agreements with Russian and foreign subcontractors, including the manufacturers of the engine, the radar, the sighting and navigating equipment, the flight control system, the landing gear and the aircraft accessories box," MIG Director General and Designer General Alexei Fyodorov told a news conference in Moscow Thursday.
The Russian partners under the project include the Ramenskoye device building design bureau, the Fazotron-NIIR Corporation, the Moscow Chernyshev machine-building plant and the Klimov plant.
The contract on MIG-29K aircraft to equip the Indian Navy was signed January 20, 2004. According to it, MIG shall deliver 12 single-seated MIG-29Ks and four MIG-29KUB twin-seated combat trainers. The corporation shall also provide training to pilots and technicians, supply a simulator and spare parts, and ensure maintenance to the aircraft at the premises of the customer.
The delivery procedures will start in 2007 and end in 2009. The contract also envisages an option of another 30 aircraft to be delivered before 2015.
According to MIG, the work under the contract is on in full compliance with the schedule. The corporation started serial production of the aircraft that meets all requirements of the customer. Eight MIG-29s of different configurations are involved in flight tests of the MIG-29K for the Indian Navy, with a total of 600 flights made through 2002-2005.
The MIG-29K is a multi-role shipborne fighter designed to provide air defense of ship formations, as well as to gain air superiority and attack surface targets with the help of precision guided weapons day and night in any weather.