MiG-29K and its fighter-trainer variant MiG-29KUB, showcased at the local airbase near Moscow, is part of the $1.5-billion Gorshkov aircraft carrier deal and India is also expected to deploy them on the indigenous aircraft carriers under Advanced Air Defence Ship project currently at an advanced development stage.
MiG-29K is equipped with modified Sea Wasp engines providing greater thrust in hot and humid tropical climate of the Indian Ocean for easy lift-off from short runways of aircraft carriers.
Eying the $9-billion contract for the delivery of 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft to the Indian Air Force, Russia’s MiG Corporation has also fielded its favourite MiG-35 and MiG-29OVT with thrust vectoring engines.
Almost 800 aerospace companies from 46 countries, including Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and New Delhi-based Indo-Russian joint venture BrahMos Aerospace have put on static displays of their aircraft models and missiles.
Deal with Indonesia
Russian planemaker Sukhoi announced a deal to supply six new fighter jets worth $300 million to Indonesia, expanding its business with the world’s largest Muslim country, Reuters adds from Moscow.
Indonesia, traditionally a major purchaser of arms, will sign a memo of understanding to buy three Su-30 and three Su-27 planes, in addition to four Russian fighter jets already delivered.
The announcement was the first to be made public at the biannual MAKS air show.
This year’s show is the biggest yet, with around 800 participants and high-level attendance from Western planemakers such as Boeing and Airbus.
“We are going to continue widening of the show as a platform for signing contracts for developing international cooperation in aviation and space,” President Vladimir Putin said at the opening of the air show.
Mr Putin also said Russia had to “maintain its leading position as a manufacturer of combat military aircraft.”