Indian Navy to get 4 more MiG-29K this month

Four MiG-29K carrier-variant fighter jets are ready to be shipped to India in two weeks depending on the weather, and the contract is on course to be completed by next year, officials of the MiG Corporation say. Two aircraft were delivered last week and were accepted by the Navy after testing.
India had contracted 45 MiG-29K carrier-based fighters from Russia in two batches — 16 fighters in 2004 along with the contact for acquiring aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya and another 29 fighters in 2010. In fact, India is the first launch customer of the carrier variant of MiG-29 even before the Russian Navy. While 16 aircraft currently fly from INS Vikramaditya, the remaining Mi9-29K are to operate from the under-construction indigenous carrier Vikrant, scheduled to enter service in 2018.
thehindu

Indian Navy Submitted an RFI to Dassault about the Rafale M Carrier Capable Variant

Dassault Aviation announced the French company has replied to a request for information from the Indian Navy on the naval Rafale M carrier-capable variant of its fighter.
India and France are in final negotiation for the procurement of 126 Rafale fighters for the Indian Air Force.
Indian Navy's current (INS Vikramaditya, INS Viraat) and near term (INS Vikrant) aircraft carriers are all fitted with a ramp for STOBAR type operations (Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery). While likely capable of STOBAR operations, the Rafale M capabilities would be maximized with a CATOBAR type aircraft carrier (Catapult Assisted Take-Off But Arrested Recovery) like the French Navy aircraft carrier.
Indian Navy's future INS Vishal might be nuclear-powered carrier with CATOBAR system.
navyrecognition

Russia to modify engines of India Su-30MKI

India Air Force frontline fighter jet Sukhoi-30MKI will be modified under new specifications laid down by its Russian manufacturers to fix mid-air engine trouble in its fleet.
The move comes after the IAF faced an unusually high number of mid-air engine failures over the past two years (January 2102 onwards) and asked the Russians to rectify the problem in the fighter jet. The IAF has a fleet of 200 Sukhoi aircraft and another 72 are on their way from Moscow.
The modification will be carried out on 400 engines of the twin-engine aircraft, besides installation of some spares for emergencies. The Russians will install modified engines on the next lot of 72 jets, sources say.
The modified engines will first be tested on the aircraft, before being fitted to the entire fleet. The refit will be carried out in batches over the next 18-24 months.
The Russians have assured India that the modifications will eliminate the problem of mid-air engine failure.
Some of the engines — the AL-31FP — produced by NPO Saturn of Russia have been behaving inconsistently over the past two years. Since the engines powering the jet are still being produced, there is a scope for modification.
The IAF had flagged the Russians after studying each failure in detail between 2012 and 2013. The matter was taken up at a meeting between the two nations in February and later in June.
The instances of single-engine Su-30MKI landings were very high during the period. This was lowering the operational ability of the fleet, besides raising questions about war readiness.
While the aircraft is based at Bathinda, Halwara, Sirsa, Bareilly, Jodhpur and Bhuj in the North and West, its two squadrons are based at Tezpur and Chabua in the East.
Another squadron is based in South to augment the Indian Navy’s fleet of MiG29-K and Sea Harriers aboard aircraft carriers INS Vikramaditya and INS Viraat, respectively.
tribuneindia

India Dhruv helicopter likely to be deployed on-board Indian Navy INS Vikramaditya

Indigenously-built Dhruv helicopter is likely to be deployed on INS Vikramaditya for carrying out the role of detecting hostile submarines.
If inducted, ALH will be the first indigenous system to be integrated on the warship, which operates only imported equipment such as the MiG 29K naval combat fighters and the Kamov-31 helicopters.
HAL is undergoing trials for carrying out role of detecting hostile submarines using systems developed by the DRDO.
The system would be tried further before any final decision is taken on deploying the twin-engine chopper on board the carrier.
The Dhruv is also part of the Coast Guard inventory which uses it for search and rescue operations in coastal areas.

India’s New Carrier is ‘Operational’

India’s newest aircraft carrier — INS Vikramaditya — is underway on an operational deployment embarking MiG— 29K and being flown by Indian naval pilots.
The carrier has taken part in wargames with India’s fleet.
The ship fields 34 aircraft, including 21 MiG-29Ks.
Vikramaditya is India’s second carrier joining the 50 year-old carrier INS Viraat.
usni

First Indian MiG-29 Fighter Jet Lands on Vikramaditya

An Indian MiG-29 naval jet landed on a refitted former Soviet aircraft carrier Friday, marking the first such operation since the ship was delivered by Russia to India earlier this year.
The Vikramaditya, formerly known as the Admiral Gorshkov, was handed over to the Indian navy on November and arrived at a naval base in Kanwar in the beginning of January.
The process of the ship’s official commissioning will take between three and four months, according to the Indian navy. A team of Russian specialists arrived onboard the ship and will stay in India for a year to fix any possible glitches if needed.
The Indian Navy commissioned its first squadron of MiG-29K/KUB carrier-based fighters in 2013.
The squadron, dubbed the “Black Panthers,” comprises 12 single-seat MiG-29Ks and four two-seat MiG-29KUBs, which Russia supplied under a 2004 contract with the Indian Defense Ministry.
In January 2010, New Delhi and Moscow signed a deal for the delivery of an additional 29 MiG-29Ks to the Indian navy.
The Vikramaditya is expected to carry up to 24 MiG-29K/KUB fighter jets.
India has built with Russia’s assistance a training facility for naval pilots to practice aircraft carrier operations.
en.ria.ru

INS Vikramaditya Aircraft Carrier Arrives in India

INS Vikramaditya, refitted former Soviet aircraft carrier has reached the Indian coast after leaving Russia’s northern shipyard in mid-November.
The Vikramaditya, formerly known as the Admiral Gorshkov, arrived at a naval base in Kanwar in the western state of Karnataka on Tuesday.
The aircraft carrier was handed over to the Indian navy on November 16 at the Semvash shipbuilder and departed from Russia on November 26.
A team of Russian specialists arrived onboard the ship and will stay in India for a year to fix any possible glitches if needed.
The Vikramaditya is to become India’s second aircraft carrier. The process of the ship’s official commissioning will take between three and four months.
ria.ru

INS Vikramaditya Enters The Arabian Sea

livefistdefence

INS Vikramaditya Aircraft Carrier Sails Out From Russia to India

India’s Vikramaditya aircraft carrier left northern Russia on Tuesday, embarking on a long voyage to its permanent base half way across the world.
The Vikramaditya, refurbished Russian carrier known as the Admiral Gorshkov, will make a short stop for refueling in the White Sea then proceed to the port of Murmansk, where the warship will stay for several days stocking up on fuel and other supplies before heading to a naval base in Karwar in southwestern India.
The aircraft carrier, which was handed over to the Indian navy on November 16, will be accompanied by an Indian tanker and a frigate on the voyage, which is expected to take about two months.
The Vikramaditya carrier, which is now five years past its original 2008 delivery date, was supposed to have been handed over to India in December 2012, but last year’s sea trials revealed that the vessel’s boilers were not fully functional.
Mikoyan MiG-29K
The Indian Navy has already taken delivery of some of the carrier's MiG-29K naval fighter aircraft, which were completed before their parent ship was ready for sea.
ria

Russian Navy Gets New MiG-29K/KUB Carrier-Based Fighters

The Russian navy has taken delivery of its first four series-produced MiG-29K/KUB carrier based fighter jets.
The Russian Defense Ministry signed a contract with MiG in February 2012 for delivery of 20 MiG-29K and four MiG-29KUB fighters by 2015.
The aircraft will be deployed on Russia's sole serving carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov, based in Murmansk with the Northern Fleet.
The Admiral Kuznetsov currently operates Sukhoi Su-33 naval fighter aircraft.
The MiG-29K is a naval variant of the MiG-29 Fulcrum fighter jet, and has folding wings, an arrester tail-hook, strengthened airframe and multirole capability thanks to its Zhuk-ME slotted array radar.
Unlike the Su-33, which is capable of air defense missions only, the MiG-29K can be armed with a wide variety of air-to-surface as well as air-to-air weaponry and laser-designation systems.
The aircraft is also capable of “buddy” refueling other MiG-29Ks.
So far, the aircraft has only entered service with India, for use on the refitted Russian-built carrier INS Vikramaditya, which was handed over to the Indian Navy on November 15.

Russia Handed Over INS Vikramaditya to India

Russia handed over to India its aircraft carrier renamed INS Vikramaditya on Saturday after a much-delayed refit and cost escalations that led to disagreements between Moscow and New Delhi.
The Indian Navy finally received its modified carrier – formerly known in Russian as Admiral Gorshkov − at the Sevmash shipyard in the northern town of Severodvinsk.
The ship was first scheduled to be delivered in 2008, but the deadline was repeatedly postponed over the period.
The Vikramaditya will be escorted to India by a group of warships to secure its safe sail to its base in base in the Arabian Sea through a classified route because it does not have any air defense systems on board.
The warship is expected to reach India by February 2014.
defense-studies

MiG Begins Testing New Russian Navy MIG-29K/KUB Fighter Jets

Russian aircraft maker MiG has started flight tests of series-produced MiG-29K/KUB carrier-based fighter jets slated for delivery to the Russian Navy.
The Russian Defense Ministry signed a contract with MiG in February 2012 for delivery of 20 MiG-29K single-seat and four MiG-29KUB two-seat carrier-based fighter aircraft.
MiG is expected to deliver the first four aircraft by the end of 2013.The aircraft will operate from Russia's sole serving carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov, based in Murmansk with the Northern Fleet.
The Admiral Kuznetsov currently operates Sukhoi Su-33 naval fighter aircraft.
The MiG-29K is a naval variant of the MiG-29 Fulcrum fighter jet, and has folding wings, an arrester tail-hook, strengthened airframe and multirole capability thanks to its Zhuk-ME slotted array radar. Unlike the Su-33, which is capable of air defense missions only, the MiG-29K can be armed with a wide variety of air-to-surface as well as air-to-air weaponry and laser-designation systems.
The aircraft is also capable of “buddy” refueling other MiG-29Ks using the PAZ-1MK refuelling pod.
So far, the aircraft has only entered service with India, for use on refitted Russian-built carrier INS Vikramaditya, due to be handed over to the Indian Navy on November 15.
ria.ru

INS Vikramaditya to sail India on Nov. 30

Russian-built aircraft carrier refitted for the Indian Navy will finally leave for India on November 30, following an overhaul that is years late, and cost over twice the original budgeted price.
The carrier Vikramaditya, which is now five years past its original 2008 delivery date, was supposed to have been handed over to India in December 2012 after the contract was renegotiated, but had to undergo additional repairs after last year’s sea trials revealed that the vessel's boilers were not fully functional due to problems with their insulation. The problems revealed during sea trials last year have been fixed.
Russian arms exports monopoly Rosoboronexport said in September that the Vikramaditya will be handed over to India on November 15 and was expected arrive at the Indian naval base at the port of Mumbai by February.
The warship, previously known as the Admiral Gorshkov, is a Project 1143.4 or modified Kiev class aircraft carrier commissioned by the Soviet Navy in 1987 and decommissioned in 1996 after cuts to the Russian Navy fleet.
The Indian Navy has already taken delivery of some of the carrier's MiG-29K naval fighter aircraft, that were completed before their parent ship was ready for sea.
en.ria.ru

US offers to India EMALS for next generation aircraft carrier

The United States has offered to develop the next generation aircraft carrier technology with India.
The technology on offer, Electro Magnetic Aircraft Launch System, will be a quantum leap for the Indian Navy that currently relies on the Russian ski-launch technology.
Both Indian carriers, INS Vikramaditya, coming in November, and INS Vikrant, being built in Kochi, can ski-launch only light fighter aircraft. But EMALS would make it possible to launch heavy aircraft, including early warning systems, refuellers and transporters, from future ships. India has yet to freeze the design of the second indigenous carrier it plans to build after Vikrant.
indianexpress

Russia to hand over Vikramaditya on Nov. 15

INS Vikramaditya will be handed over to the Indian Navy on November 15 at a formal ceremony in the Russian northern seaport of Severodvinsk.
The upgraded and retrofitted aircraft carrier is now completing sea trials and is expected to return to the Sevmash Shipyard in Severodvinsk in the next few weeks.
The ship was to be delivered last December, but failed the sea trials after its boilers and some other systems malfunctioned. This time, all systems performed flawlessly, including daytime and night takeoff and landings by MiG-29K deck fighter planes.
thehindu

INS Vikramaditya will serve to Indian Navy for 30 years

Vikramaditya/INS-Vikramaditya-sea-trials-source-Livefist.jpg" width="400" />For all the debates over its price, utility and delay in induction, aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya is sure to serve the Navy for at least 30 years, says a senior technical officer of the Navy.
thehindu

Indian Navy Carrier INS Vikramaditya Sails From Russia for Final Sea Trials

The ex Russian Navy carrier Admiral Gorshkox carrier refitted for the Indian navy has set sail for final sea trials prior to handover.
The Vikramaditya (formerly Admiral Gorshkov), which has been refitted in Russia, is due to he handed over in fall 2013. A mixed Russian-Indian crew is on board the warship, while the Indian sailors learn how to operate the vessel.
en.ria.ru

Indigenous aircraft carrier to be launched in August

Indian Navy's indigenously-built aircraft carrier would be launched on August 12 this year, while INS Vikramaditya (purchased from Russia) will arrive before the end of 2013.
indiatimes

Ready to induct MiG squadron in may, India awaits carrier

With the first squadron of carrier-based fly-by-wire MiG-29 K fighters to be formally inducted into the navy next month, India is now keeping its fingers crossed on Russia delivering the 45,000-tonne INS Vikramaditya aircraft carrier by 2013 end, after a delay of over five years.
The Admiral Gorshkov warship will be put on trial on Barents Sea between May and July and commissioned by Sevmash shipyard on White Sea in November 2013.

hindustantimes

Indian Navy aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya is yet to be delivered

According to an Indian Navy statement, the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya is yet to be delivered to the Indian Navy. The ship was put to sea for trials from June to September 2012. During the sea trials over 108 days, the main propulsion plant could not complete the 'full power trials' due to defects encountered on 'boiler furnace brickwork' at higher speeds.

The aircraft carrier commissioning in the Indian Navy is now scheduled in the last quarter of 2013.

The final cost of the Project agreed upon in March 2010 is 2.3 billion USD. The reason for increase from the initial cost decided in January 2004 was due to increase in the scope of the repair and modernization work.

navyrecognition