Russia to hand over five MiG-29K fighters to India by year end

"We will fulfil the 2004 contract by the end of this year. We have already delivered 11 out of 16 aircraft," MiG CEO Sergei Korotkov said.

The contract, a part of USD 1.5 billion Gorshkov aircraft carrier deal inked in January 2004, provides for the deliveries of 12 single-seat MiG-29Ks and four two-seat MiG-29KUBs for the Indian Navy, reported RIA Novosti.

The 11 fighters have already joined the Indian Navy's "Black Panthers" squadron based in Goa training pilots for subsequent deployment on INS Vikramaditya, which is expected to be delivered by Russia in December 2012.

In March 2010, another USD 1.5-billion deal was signed for the acquisition of 29 additional MiG-29K Fulcrum-D carrier-based fighter jets and the deliveries are scheduled to commence next year.

The INS Vikramaditya is expected to carry up to 24 MiG-29K/KUB fighters and the indigenous aircraft carrier Vikrant under construction is also likely also carry these fighters.